A trade for Kirk Cousins has many stipulations attached to it that make it a difficult deal to execute.
One of those extenuating circumstances is Redskins owner Dan Snyder.
Sources tell KNBR.com that Snyder is holding onto bad blood he and current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan crafted years ago. Snyder fired Shanahan and his father Mike after a 3-13 campaign in 2013 that played out in the public eye through media leaks. Snyder does not want to help Shanahan succeed at the NFL level.
This factor, coupled with draft pick compensation, GM Scot McCloughan’s absence and Cousins’ refusal to sign his franchise tag offer are all reasons why a deal has not been struck.
A source indicated Snyder has long had “a weird” relationship with Cousins. After making his first start — and winning a big game at Cleveland — for an injured Robert Griffin III in 2012, Snyder refused to shake his hand or acknowledge him in the locker room. Snyder has sense changed his tune, but there has been lingering awkwardness after Griffin burned out just as the Shanahan’s told him he would.
The irony of Snyder standing in the way of a trade is that Cousins is expected to leave for San Francisco via free agency in 2018.
