Some within the media believe the addition of Hoyer may have closed the door on Cousins playing for the 49ers in 2017 and that San Francisco may simply wait until 2018 to acquire the quarterback via free agency without having to give up draft compensation.
Mike Silver of NFL Media believes that Cousins will be the 49ers' quarterback in 2018 but he isn't exactly closing the door on the possibility that a move is still made to send Cousins to San Francisco in 2017. "The smart move for the 49ers is to wait a year, see how this goes, and if they still want Kirk Cousins a year from now – given the way the franchise tag works – they can probably get him for free," Silver said on NFL Network. "Not contract-wise. It will be expensive. In terms of having to give up compensation."
►
Mike Silver: Kirk Cousins will be the 49ers quarterback in 2018, if not sooner
"I believe that Kirk Cousins wants no part of Washington right now and would like to be in San Francisco. And Washington is a dysfunctional dumpster fire with Scot McCloughan not even in the office now," Silver continued. "And there's some dubious things going on above him, I would just say.
"Logic would suggest that they wait a year but I wouldn't close the door because when you've got quarterback wanting to go, coach you just gave a six-year contract to wanting quarterback, and dysfunction on the other end, anything is possible."
Silver went on to admit that he does not know if the 49ers have made an offer to Washington in an attempt to acquire Cousins. Although, it is likely that the two organizations at least brought up the topic at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week.
Why would Washington trade Cousins to the 49ers? San Francisco certainly will not overpay now when they can simply sign him next year. "They certainly would not give up two first-round picks but there's always a number," Silver said. "Why would Washington do it? Well, if Kirk Cousins doesn't sign the franchise tender for example, which he has not yet, and tells them, 'I'm not coming in. I'll sign it on August 30th and come in and play for $25 million.'"
Silver says that Cousins has a lot of leverage over Washington. "If Kirk Cousins and Kyle Shanahan both want this, there's a way to put pressure on Washington," Silver said.
"I think Kirk Cousins will be the 49ers quarterback in 2018, almost certainly, and I think there's still a decent chance it could happen in 2017," Silver concluded.
The 49ers have not committed to Hoyer as their starting quarterback in 2017, leaving the door open for another big move at the position. However, according to NFL Network, the 49ers have informed Hoyer that he will have a chance to compete for the starting job in 2017. Once Hoyer signs, he will be the only quarterback on the 49ers roster so more moves at the position are gauranteed.
One thing is certain: It is good to hear the term "dumpster fire" and not have it being used as a description for the 49ers organization.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers QB Brock Purdy Keeps Silencing Critics With Winning, Production, and Proof
Recently, Wayne "Breezy" Brown wrote a brief but excellent article on why this coming season is an important one for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Brown identifies the myriad accomplishments Brock has and lists the naysayers' accusations for why Brock is not a... -
Brock Purdy: 49ers have what it takes to win the Super Bowl
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy attended this year's Dwight Clark Legacy Series event on Wednesday, where he sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area's Laura Britt to discuss expectations for the 2026 NFL season. Purdy has already experienced a Super Bowl run with the... -
Where does 49ers' Mac Jones rank among NFL backup QBs by trade value?
Mac Jones saved the San Francisco 49ers' season in 2025. That wasn't a statement any fan expected to hear before last season began. But it happened. And it's not an overreaction. Starting QB Brock Purdy missed eight games in 2025. And Jones filled in admirably, going 5-3, and... -
USA Today predicts 49ers record for 2026
Last season, the San Francisco 49ers finished with an impressive 12-5 record, despite many injuries to key players. Some injuries, like those to Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall, lasted multiple weeks. But there were more devastating ones, like the season-ending...