Redskins' Thompson: We got 'mixed messages' about Cousins staying

While we wait for the blockbuster trade that sent quarterback Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Washington Redskins to become official March 14, incumbent Washington starter Kirk Cousins remains in limbo.

That confusion isn't new for running back Chris Thompson, who says that over the past year, it wasn't entirely clear whether Cousins was hoping to stay in Washington or leave.

"I think everybody got some mixed messages, I will say that," Thompson told ESPN's Chris Cooley and Kevin Sheehan when asked. "... I know for me, talking to Kirk, being with Kirk, all we talked about was, you know, 'C.T., with you staying healthy, we can do this with you, we can do that with you,' and we were able to do a lot of the things that Kirk wanted to do with me. We wanted to continue this. So, for me, I expected him to be here."

Though Cousins played the last two seasons under the NFL's franchise tag, Thompson said the quarterback's financial requests on a long-term contract made some players doubt his desire to win a championship.

"I knew it would be hard given that we want to win, but if you pay a guy ($30 million) a year, it's going to sacrifice some other things ... as far as helping our defense out, maybe getting some more receivers, or running backs and all those type of things," said Thompson.

However, Thompson spoke highly of Cousins, who's topped 4,000 passing yards in each of his three full seasons as the starter, totaling 81 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing scores.

"I know Kirk is going to go somewhere and get every single dollar he wants. I think he deserves it. He's put up some great numbers year in and year out, so that's what this league is all about," Thompson said.

- With h/t to The Washington Post

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