Bruce Allen said the dismissal of Scot McCloughan as general manager of Washington was not over a power struggle.

Allen addressed the firing of McCloughan for the first time on Sunday.

"At the beginning of the league year, we needed some clarity," Allen said Sunday night from the owners meetings.

"I've heard all this different speculation," Allen said. "That's ridiculous. Scot and I have had conversations [before the firing]. We're on the same page.

"There's a personal side in that I brought him to (Washington) and hoped for, obviously, not just a different outcome but a better situation for him and for (Washington). Yeah, that hurts. I do wish him the best. I like Scot. It feels like our friendship obviously will be strained."

Allen said Washington won't hire anyone to replace McCloughan until after next month's draft.

The Cleveland Browns "aren't expected" to pursue a trade for Kirk Cousins despite rumors that they are interested in the quarterback, according to a report.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer cited an unnamed league source in her report.

Kirk Cousins says he never demanded a trade to owner Dan Snyder but rather inquired what the team planned to do after placing the franchise tag on him.

Cousins told Adam Schefter on his Know Them From Adam podcast that his only reason for reaching out to Snyder, as well as team president Bruce Allen, was to gauge their intentions.

"I did inquire if there was any interest in trading me to get an understanding of their perspective," Cousins said. "The answer I got back was Mr. Snyder communicated his belief in me and desire for me to remain (with Washington)."

Cousins said the first he heard of his trade demands was when a shoe store employee related Chris Mortensen's report to him while fitting his wife for shoes.

"I laughed and thought, 'I don't know where that comes from because that wasn't the case,'" Cousins told Schefter. "Somehow it got twisted to where an employee of the store is using the word 'demanded.' That's not the approach I took."

Cousins signed his franchise tender Friday, thereby guaranteeing a $24 million payday this season.

Terrelle Pryor signed with Washington last week despite the lack of clarity at quarterback going forward.

Kirk Cousins is signed for 2017, but he reportedly asked for a trade and was rebuffed.

"I don't want to say it was my first priority because at the end of the day you want to be wanted," Pryor said. "You want to be with a team that wants you to be on the team. In Washington, they were very aggressive in terms of wanting me to be on the team. I played with six quarterbacks last year. I don't think it could get that bad. Obviously, I would like to play with Kirk (Cousins); I would be an idiot if I didn't believe that. I think he's a great quarterback and hopefully that's what happens."

Washington has signed Terrelle Pryor Sr. to a one-year, $8 million deal.

Washington lost DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon at wide receiver this offseason.

Pryor led the Browns with 77 receptions, 1,007 yards and four touchdowns last season. 

Pryor became the second player in NFL history to have seasons with 1,000 passing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. The last was Marlin Briscoe, who had 1,589 yards passing in 1968 and 1,036 receiving in 1970.

Kirk Cousins has signed his franchise tender with Washington and can now be traded.

Washington, however, has shown no signs of wanting to trade him to this point.

Cousins received the nonexclusive tag last year at a cost of $19.953 million. Cousins will make $23.94 million if he plays under the tag.

Cousins and Washington can negotiate a long-term deal through July 15th.

Kirk Cousins plans on soon signing his franchise tag with Washington.

Knowing he is not likely to be traded this offseason, Cousins will move forward playing under the tag and not receiving a long-term contract.

If Cousins plays under the tag this season, he will have made $43 million in guaranteed money in 2016 and 2017.

The San Francisco 49ers have had strong interest in Cousins.

Washington has fired general manager Scot McCloughan.

An official with direct knowledge of the situation attributed the decision to McCloughan’s ongoing problems with alcohol, which also led to his firing from front office positions with the San Francisco 49ers in 2010 and Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

“He’s had multiple relapses due to alcohol,” said the official, who spoke on a condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on personnel matters. “He showed up in the locker room drunk on multiple occasions. . . . This has been a disaster for 18 months.”

McCloughan, the official said, has received alcohol treatment since joining the franchise in January 2015, but he hasn’t actively worked for the team in weeks.

“He didn’t make the best of his third chance in the NFL,” the official said.

The team confirmed the decision in a statement provided to The Washington Post Thursday evening.

“Washington (has) released Scot McCloughan from the organization effective immediately. We wish him success in his future endeavors. The team will have no further comment on his departure. The organization remains confident in our personnel department as we execute our free agency plans as well as prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft,” Team President Bruce Allen said in the statement.

McCloughan’s ouster leaves owner Daniel Snyder searching for what will be the fifth general manager of his 18-year tenure as owner.

DeSean Jackson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed upon a three-year, $35 million contract.

Jackson's contract includes $20 million in guaranteed money.

Jackson spent the last three seasons with Washington after six with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson caught 56 balls for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Kirk Cousins lobbied for a trade from Washington directly to Dan Snyder this offseason. Cousins was told that it was unlikely to happen.

Washington has shown zero inclination to trade Cousins to date and continue to insist they plan on keeping him.

Washington used the franchise tag on Cousins for the second straight offseason.