Storyline: Kirk Cousins is proving to be an elite quarterback in this league. He’s becoming the franchise player in Washington as well. Written by Josh Landis. Follow Josh on Twitter.
The Redskins entered the 2015 season with uncertainty at the quarterback position. After an off-season of disappointment, and a dreadful preseason by incumbent Robert Griffin III, Head Coach Jay Gruden made the decision to go with Kirk Cousins as the starter. He felt Cousins stood the best chance at leading the Washington Redskins to a successful season.
Courtesy: ftw.usatoday.com
As the season came to end, there was no doubt that Gruden had made the right decision. Kirk Cousins put together one of the best seasons in Washington Redskins franchise history. He led the team to an 9-7 record, as well as a playoff berth. Cousins is the future for the Redskins, which is why they aim to sign the pending free agent.
“We have a quarterback”, Ricky Jean Francois said.
After a turbulent off-season a year ago, the Redskins enter this off-season with a confidence at the quarterback position they haven’t had in a long time. That does wonders for the franchise and lets them focus on more pressing issues. Also, for all those not assuming a deal will get done, it will.
“It helps out a lot no question about it,” Gruden said. “You try to build your team around that position, the most crucial position in sports, especially in football, obviously. Having some stability there is important, something we look forward to having.”
The Redskins haven’t had stability at the quarterback position since Dan Snyder took over the team in 1999. The Redskins have had 16 starting quarterbacks in that time span. The addition of GM, Scot McCloughan, has brought a significant change to the culture of the franchise. He’s in control of football operations and lets Jay Gruden run his team how he sees fit; thus giving us the Kirk Cousins season.
Courtesy: sportingnews.com
The Redskins will have the option of franchise tagging Kirk Cousins if a deal cannot be made. If Cousins does sign a contract, all statistics lead to a deal that will start somewhere around the 17 million a year mark.
Cousins finished the season with 4,166 yards (a franchise record) along with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He led the league in completion percentage at 69.8 and finished fifth in the league in quarterback rating-101.6.
In Sundays loss against Green Bay; Cousins didn’t have his best performance. He finished the day 29 of 46 for 329 yards with one touchdown. He’s improved dramatically over the course of the season, and proved to be all that Jay Gruden knew he could be.
“To watch him get better throughout the course of the season, stay humble, continue to work and prepare was fun to be a part of,” Jay Gruden said. “We’re excited about the thought of him being our quarterback.”
Kirk Cousins defied what the critics said he couldn’t do – he broke franchise records. Behind his arm, the Redskins captured the NFC East title. He led a team that was projected to finish 32nd, to the playoffs.
The only way to cap off the season Kirk Cousins had is with a simple- “You like that!”
