What would Bill Belichick Do?

The Kirk Cousins saga continues in Washington D.C.  The New England Patriots are seemingly the anthesis of the Washington Redskins (They win consistently while never overpaying and let veterans walk when necessary because they know how to fill in just the right pieces through the draft and free agency) so they would be a good model to follow.  I believe if we could get Bill Belichick to handle the situation this is what he would do.

First he would prioritize the Redskins needs based on the players they currently have under contract.  At this moment the Redskins have approximately 110 Million Dollars committed for 2017 with an expected salary cap of 160 Million Dollars.  The 110 Million under contract does not include Kirk Cousins, Pierre Garçon, Desean Jackson or Tom Compton.  At this time the Redskins needs are as follows:

1.  A run stopping Inside Linebacker and Two Safeties.
2. A Defensive Lineman
3. An NFL Running Back
4. At least one Wide Receiver
5. An Interior Offensive Lineman
6. Another Cornerback
7. Another Inside Linebacker
8. A Quarterback if they don’t sign Cousins

Now Belichick would start by offering Cousins 16 Million Dollars per year for 7 years.  He might be willing to pay 18 Million per year with certain stipulations about Cap friendly concessions down the road.  He would not Franchise Tag Cousins!  If Kirk doesn’t want to play here for reasonable money then let him go.  Belichick would be ready to play next year with Colt McCoy and sign a veteran back up while drafting another QB in a later round in the Draft.

He would then analyze the Free Agent and Draft landscape for a Run Stopping Inside Linebacker.  He would prefer a veteran who could also call the defenses but if no Free Agent is available he would draft the Best Run Stopper available.  If no Run Stoppers are going to be available at No. 17 he would sign the Best Available Free Agent Run Stoppers at Inside Linebacker.  He would get a Run Stopper.

Next he would attack the Safety issues in similar fashion.  If a great Safety is available in the draft he would draft him. If not he would sign two Free Agent Safeties.  Even if he drafted a Safety in the First Round he would still sign a veteran from Free Agency.

In the Draft he would target next a Defensive Lineman, Running Back, Offensive Lineman, Quarterback and Cornerback.  He would try to get more picks to add depth to the Special Teams.

At the same time Belichick would sign Pierre Garçon for sure and another Free Agent wide receiver.

Bill Belichick has proven over the years that you can win with many different levels of quarterback play as long as you have a solid defense and a strong offensive line.  Bill would have the Redskins in contention next year and there would be no question who was in charge and what the plan is.  Strong, steady defense, excellent special teams and quality offensive line play with multiple weapons at wide receiver and running back will win consistently and when mixed with great quarterback play will win Super Bowls.