The Washington Redskins are preparing for the fourth year of the Robert Griffin Experience. Things were looking good in 2012 when Griffin led Washington to a 10-6 mark and the NFC East title. Unfortunately, Griffin blew out his ACL in the Wild Card game that year and has never been the same, with the Redskins winning a combined seven games since.
Meanwhile, fourth-year pro Kirk Cousins continues to sit on the bench behind Griffin. Cousins has only played in 14 NFL games in his career, amassing 3,030 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. While the numbers are middling, Cousins has never been the starter for an extended period of time. Former Washington head coach Mike Shanahan – who was the coach when Cousins was drafted – believes the former Michigan State star has a great future, according to the Washington Post.
"“I think Kirk Cousins has got a big-time future,” Shanahan said. “He’s a starter in the National Football League, and that’ll be proven out in time. … He’s going to have a great career as a starter.”"
Shanahan went on to praise Cousins further, who is entering a contract year.
"“If you put a guy like Kirk Cousins in and you run the ball 30 to 35 times a game, and then you look back at the success that he had, you’d say, holy cow, look at those stats — when it’s a balanced offense,” Shanahan explained. “You can’t put in a guy that’s started nine games in the National Football League and ask him to win games week in and week out in the passing game. It just doesn’t work that way.”"
Assuming Cousins hits free agency, it will be interesting to see what kinds of offers teams throw at him. Do they view him as a starter and give him legitimate offers, or is he seen as more of the reliable backup type, akin to Chase Daniel?