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In 2012, the Washington Redskins thought that they had it all figured out. Robert Griffin III was looking like a true franchise quarterback, and the team was in midst of a competitive playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Then everything changed. RG3 tore his ACL towards the end of the contest and he was never the same. The Redskins struggled in the following seasons as a consequence. Everyone thought they were in for another tough year in 2015, but Kirk Cousins has stepped up.
Cousins was picked by the Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, the same draft they took RG3 in. He was supposed to be the team’s backup to RG3 that they could eventually sell high on, but he has become much more than that. I would go as far as saying that Cousins looks like he might be able to develop into a top-12 NFL quarterback.
This season, Cousins has been a benchmark for consistency. Week in a week out, Cousins is able to complete a lot of passes a lead an effective offensive attack. Since Week 7, Cousins has led the team to a 6-3 record, while throwing for 19 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He is efficient, and currently leads the NFL in completion percentage, among qualified passers, at a number just below 70 percent. In short, Cousins has been the answer at quarterback for the Redskins, who looked to be lacking a franchise guy prior to his emergence.
Now, the Redskins will be heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 by virtue of their win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Cousins was unstoppable in that game and save for one error on a kneel-down to end the first half, the quarterback was pretty much flawless. He looks poised to lead the team for years to come, which is where a problem arises.
After this season, Cousins is going to be a free agent. Given what he’s been able to do for this team, the Redskins are going to have a hard time letting him walk, and they really shouldn’t let him go. While the team may not want to sign him to a long term deal, due to his erratic play during spotty playing time in his first three seasons, they absolutely need to bring him back. He fits very well into Jay Gruden’s offensive system, and the team will have a tough time finding a capable replacement for him.
Cousins will likely get the franchise tag in 2015 if the two parties can’t agree on a short term extension. Cousins deserves a payday, but not one that breaks the bank yet. He still has to prove that he isn’t a one-year wonder. Something along the line of Nick Foles’ two year, $24 million deal would make a lot of sense.
Still, Cousins may elect to play on the franchise tag in order to get a long term deal after that. Regardless of what happens, the Redskins need to make sure they lock up their quarterback for at least another season.
Jacob Camenker is an NFL Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can like him on Facebook here, follow him on Twitter @jacobyhorse, or add him to your network on Google.
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