Has Kirk Cousins Proved He’s Worth a Long Term Deal?
The position of quarterback in the NFL is a dream job, but it’s also one of the most stressful job positions in all of America. Criticism comes from every angle; win or lose. Play poorly for a few weeks and it affects your legacy; or worse, your job.
Kirk Cousins knows all too well how jobs are lost. He’s had a first hand experience to how quickly success and stardom can collapse after watching Robert Griffin III for three seasons.
When opportunity presents itself, you have to run with it. That’s exactly what Cousins did after being named the starter for the 2015 season.
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Cousins led the Redskins to become division champions and ultimately to the playoffs in his first full season under center. Cousins broke numerous Washington Redskins franchise records along the way, including passing for 4,166 yards. He led the league with 69.8 percent completion percentage; second in franchise history to Sammy Baugh who set the record in 1945 with a mark of 70.3 percent. Cousins at home completion percentage of 74.7 is the best in NFL history (minimum 100 attempts). His 29 touchdown passes rank third behind Sonny Jurgenson (31) for single season touchdowns.
Was it all a fluke?
Well, it certainly seemed that way two weeks into the 2016 season as we witnessed a stark contrast between the “You Like That!” Cousins of 2015 and the guy wearing number 8 in 2016.
Through the first two weeks of play Cousins managed 58 of 89 (68.1 percent) passing for 693 yards along with one touchdown and 3 interceptions. That was good for a QBR of 78.5.
On March 1, 2016 the Redskins used their option of a franchise tag on Cousins after negotiations on a long-term deal failed. Cousins was rewarded with a one year franchise tag of 20 million. It gives Cousins the chance to showcase, a “prove it” type season for the eventual long term deal. A curse and a blessing for Cousins. He’s given the opportunity to repeat last years record-breaking season, or stumble in 2016.
Cousins hit a bump in the road through the first two weeks of the season. He’s rebounded since that point and has performed as well as any quarterback in the league since. Looming pressure of the franchise tag surely took its toll on Cousins early on, but since the Week 2 mark, Cousins has gone 157 of 232 (67.6 percent) for 1,761 yards along with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Now his QBR sits at 98.7.
Cousins is currently second in the league in passing yards behind Matt Ryan with 2,454 yards. He’s led the Redskins to the leagues 3rd best total offense (410.2 yards per game) along with the leagues third best passing offense (298.8 yards per game).
The Redskins enter Week 9 of the season on a bye after suffering a heartbreaking tie with Bengals in London a week ago. Against the Bengals, Cousins was masterful as he passed for 458 yards, a career high.
Related Story: Kirk Cousins Midseason Grade
From a statistical standpoint, Cousins is top-notch; he is one of the best in the league. Yet the Redskins currently sit at 4-3-1 and last in a competitive NFC East division.
Cousins and the offense is missing a key element: killer instinct in the red zone. The red zone has haunted the Redskins throughout the 2016 season, and they currently sit at 31st in the league, scoring a touchdown just 40% of the time. Great quarterbacks, from Brady to Brees, find a way to score when the opportunity is there.
At this point in the season, it’s safe to say that Cousins still has the opportunity to remain a long time fixture in DC.
How the Redskins play through the second half of the season, however, will be the ultimate answer for Cousins future.