Former Commanders head coach shares blunt message after Kirk Cousins' historic night

The Washington Commanders are finally on the right track at football's most important position. Jayden Daniels looks like a franchise quarterback - someone who could potentially evolve into an elite NFL superstar if his incredible start is any indication. It's early days, but the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has the chance to solve a complex riddle that initially stemmed from the team's mismanagement of Kirk Cousins' contract situation.

Cousins was the franchise player in Washington despite being drafted much lower than Robert Griffin III. Giving him a long-term deal seemed like a foregone conclusion, but previous owner Dan Snyder had other ideas. The organization ended up giving him two straight franchise tags before he was allowed to leave for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 free agency.

Jay Gruden mocks Commanders after Kirk Cousins' historic night

This was incompetence of the highest order. Something that was further highlighted by former head coach Jay Gruden amid Cousins' historic performance for the Atlanta Falcons to secure a dramatic overtime triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. The signal-caller threw a franchise-record 509 yards and four touchdowns, adding his name to an exclusive group that has reached this particular milestone.

The compensatory third-round pick ended up being traded by Washington to the Buffalo Bills so they could draft tight end Dawson Knox. With the two selections those in power received as part of the transaction, they took running back Bryce Love and offensive lineman Wes Martin.

Love was injury-prone coming out of college and never played a regular season down in Washington. Martin lasted three seasons over two different spells, starting 10 games. Not exactly the best return for an ascending quarterback who had his best years ahead of him.

This was just one of several devastating decisions made by Washington when the previous owner ruled the roost. What followed after Cousins bolted was a constant stream of failed quarterback moves, with everything from wayward free-agent signings, mid-level draft picks, and one catastrophic trade for Carson Wentz blowing up in the team's face. It came as no surprise to see the Commanders descend into football oblivion as a result.

These were critical mistakes new general manager Adam Peters wasn't planning to make. He had the No. 2 pick and turned down some whopping trade offers from elsewhere to move down. The Commanders keyed in on their guy and were convinced Daniels was the man to take this storied organization back to prominence. In turn, this will allow the front-office leader to strengthen other areas of the depth chart with a gifted signal-caller on a rookie deal to utilize.

We're only a quarter of the way through Washington's regular-season engagements in 2024. However, one cannot look at Daniels' meteoric rise and historical start and think the Commanders don't have something special on their hands. After years of abject failure since Cousins' departure, things are looking up at long last.

Nobody is looking back with any great fondness unless fans go beyond the last two decades. It's time this fanbase moved forward with a sense of purpose and belief the Commanders could make a long-awaited return to the NFL's top table with Daniels leading the charge.

If that happens, Washington's mishandling of Cousins' contract will be a distant memory.

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