The situation for Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins remains unchanged, even after the firing of general manager Scot McCloughan. The Redskins have yet to tempt Cousins with an offer -- and therefore it’s hard to say anything else will have an impact on his decision to stay or go.

That includes McCloughan's firing just like it includes head coach Jay Gruden's contract extension Saturday. Cousins has felt that if the Redskins don’t want to sign him to a long-term deal, then they should trade him. The Redskins don’t want to do that as of now. Soon? Maybe. They know they risk losing him for only a third-round compensatory pick if they let him walk after next season.

But it’s hard to say McCloughan's departure will have much of an impact on any talks with Cousins. McCloughan did have a good relationship with Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney. However, that did not alter McCloughan's belief that Cousins was a good-but-not-great quarterback -- and not one that he believed was worth a certain price tag. McCloughan has been part of organizations with two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks -- Russell Wilson and Brett Favre. The comparison that was always made for Cousins: Alex Smith.

Also, the Redskins' chief negotiator is Eric Schaffer, who is highly respected. He's the one dealing with agents.

There was talk during the 2015 season that McCloughan had pushed for, or at least suggested, a new contract for Cousins. Others balked, but the deal was low and there's no indication that Cousins, knowing free agency -- or the $19.95 million franchise tag awaited after the season -- would have signed.

There's also no indication McCloughan would have advocated for the Redskins to go much higher than their current offer of $20 million over five years with what's believed to be $40 million in guarantees. For Cousins' side, that does not move the needle. He could make $24 million this year on the tag and then cash in bigger next offseason, dwarfing any current guarantees.

For one side, it’s about where they feel he stacks up in the league; for the other it’s about capitalizing on leverage. It’s an understandable stance on both sides, but it will not help strike a deal. And it won’t change minus McCloughan.

Where it could make a difference: Cousins, someone who loves order in his life, tires of what seems to be disorder. That should be a real concern. He’ll also want to be confident in what the organization can build. If the Redskins wait too long to make him a better offer, there's a good chance he’ll come to one conclusion: He won’t sign regardless, knowing what potentially awaits him in free agency next offseason.

But the point is: It’s not as if McCloughan's thought process on this topic was far different than others. Nor does he appear to have been an impediment to any talks, even with reports of leaks poisoning the talks. Problem is, the Redskins' offers have spoken volumes to Cousins' camp. It doesn't mean the Redskins are wrong or unfair, just how it's received.

What he could have been, though, is a voice of reason. Cousins initially became the starting quarterback in 2015 in part because McCloughan backed Gruden, letting the owner know Robert Griffin III should not start. Owner Dan Snyder and Allen listened.

If the talks, such as they are, do not yield any momentum then it would have been easy to see McCloughan reaching a point where he knows a trade must be explored. That way, they would get something in exchange for Cousins. But I also believe others in the organization are well aware of this line of thinking.

McCloughan's departure takes away a solid talent evaluator and becomes an unfortunate footnote in the organization’s history. But as he leaves, there's nothing new with Cousins.