Before the start of the 2012 NFL season, the Washington Redskins had lots of questions at the quarterback position. With that in mind, the team traded up to select Robert Griffin III in the first round. However, they also picked Kirk Cousins in the fourth round, with the 102nd overall pick.
The thought process behind these two players was having RGIII as the starter, and Cousins as the backup. However, things changed drastically in only a few years. Injuries derailed Griffin’s career, and he couldn’t recover the form he showed in his rookie year. In the end, Griffin got released and Cousins has started the past two years. The results are there for anyone to see them.
With Cousins under center, Washington reached the playoffs in 2015, and were in contention until the final game of the regular season last year. He also led the Redskins to a divisional title in 2015, and has emerged as one of the top young QBs in the league. However, the signal-caller and the franchise have not been able to reach an agreement when it comes to a potential extension. This has led Cousins to play under the franchise tag the past two years.
All things considered, 2017 seems to be a make-or-break for both the Redskins and Cousins. The NFC East will be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and both parties need to be at their best. On one side, the franchise needs to prove they can compete with the rest of their rivals. The Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants will always be a threat, but we can’t forget about the Philadelphia Eagles, either. If everything goes according to plan, Philly will have one of the top offenses in the NFL. Washington can’t take them for granted.
And on the other side, Cousins need to maintain the form he’s shown the past two years. He needs to show he can be a leader on an aspiring franchise, and take things to the next level. However, that won’t happen unless both sides get to an agreement in terms of stability. And the best way to reach that point is to agree to a multi-year contract.
Think about it, and it makes perfect sense. Having a reliable quarterback is one of the most difficult things to do in the NFL, and Washington has it. And while Cousins might never be an elite QB, he’s a very good one with a few flashes of greatness. He’s not Tom Brady or Drew Brees, but no one is asking him that. He’s simply an accurate passes who can adapt and create plays. Washington needs him to feel beloved, and what better than way than paying him big money to remain as the face of the franchise?
An NFC East title might be difficult this year, but the Redskins have a team that’s good enough to reach a Wild Card Spot. And while most of the responsibility will fall on Cousins’ shoulders, he already showed he has what it takes. If Washington doesn’t want to take a step back in their progress, they need to extend Cousins and decide to pay him on a multi-year deal.
The sooner, the better for both parties involved.