The Future of Washington: Kirk Cousins

On Sunday, the Washington Redskins were not supposed to have any chance at winning. Not without their franchise quarterback.

In fact, if it were not for poor special team’s play that led to a kick returned for a touchdown, along with a missed 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the Redskins would have won the game.

The fact that the Redskins lost due to special teams indicates that quarterback Kirk Cousins is the team’s future.

In his spot start for Robert Griffin III, Cousins had 427 passing yards along with three touchdowns and an 81-yard touchdown pass to receiver DeSean Jackson. The previous week Cousins came in after Griffin III went down to injury. He had 250 passing yards and two touchdowns en route to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-10.

This kid needs to be the future.

Part of his success could be due to new head coach Jay Gruden. Gruden runs the West Coast offense, which fits Cousins’s play style perfectly. He looks more comfortable than Griffin III does taking snaps. Cousins also has a rocket for an arm and great football instincts. He isn’t some do-good backup like Matt Cassel was when Tom Brady went down during the 2008 season.

While Cousins has played, the Redskins have scored 75 total points. Yes, 75 points in two games. Previously the Redskins had only scored 110 points in their last eight games, all while Griffin III started. Cousins has gone three-and-out only twice this season as well.

He also has uncanny speed when releasing the ball. The guy never waits, leading to zero sacks the entire game, the second time since the start of the 2013 season.

Cousins hasn’t been perfect, seeing he has only 284 career passing attempts in a limited amount of games, but he shows signs of a soon-to-be great quarterback. He has exceptional decision-making skills. He rarely tries to jam passes to receivers. It should also be noted that Cousins began the game 12 for 13 when passing and then went 18 for 35 after that stretch. Cousins does have some things he needs to work on.

But with all that said, Cousins has more positives than Robert Griffin III. As long as Cousins continues to progress, there is no reason why he can’t take over the starting role and the franchise. The only thing in his way is three first round picks and a second.