Kirk Cousins builds his case as Redskins continue to rise
LANDOVER, Md. – Washington Redskins quarterback and Vine star Kirk Cousins produced another gem.
He had just outdueled Aaron Rodgers. He had just dissected the Green Bay Packers secondary, throwing for 375 yards and three touchdowns, despite icy wind gusts of 30 miles per hour. And the Washington Redskins dominated in a 42-24 victory Sunday night – one that cornerback Josh Norman would call a “staple game.”
So Cousins walked up to his boss during the on-field, post-game celebration. The man who will soon decide his future, general manager Scot McCloughan, extended his arm for a congratulatory handshake.
Not only did Cousins accept it. He locked onto McCloughan, pulled him in and shouted into his right ear: “How you like me now?”
For good measure, Cousins repeated himself, slapped another handshake, and before walking away stared at his boss and playfully ruffled McCloughan’s hair.
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Well, when you’re playing like this, you can get away with a lot.
The question is no longer whether Washington will want to sign Cousins at the end of the offseason. The question is how much will it cost?
Cousins is playing 2016 on the one-year franchise tag that pays him a guaranteed $19.95 million. It was offered and signed during the offseason as a trial, wait-and-see period. It gave Washington a bigger sample size to determine whether he was deserving of a lucrative, long-term contract that Cousins and his representatives seek.
Safe to say that sample size is now big enough.
“I think we walked off the field in a few games, feeling like even in a win that we’re capable of doing more,” Cousins said after the game in his postgame news conference. “And I think tonight was certainly the culmination of what we feel like our potential can be.”
Cousins completed 21 of 30 attempts on Sunday night, tossing short, accurate passes that opened up crossing routes down the middle of the field. And when Washington’s receivers darted past Green Bay’s corners and safeties, Cousins heaved several accurate deep throws, including touchdowns of 70 and 44 yards.
“I think if we can get our guy back there playing like that,” receiver DeSean Jackson said after the game, “we’re pretty much unstoppable like we were out there today.”
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Norman can relate.
His former squad, the Carolina Panthers, offered him the franchise tag over the offseason. When it became increasingly clear that the two would not reach a long-term agreement, Carolina cut Norman.
“I can’t say enough about that guy, man,” Norman said of Cousins. “He’s a special, special talent.
“I’m always for guys getting theirs. I’m always for that. He’s playing great ball. You can’t deny what he did today. The balls are sailing. I don’t see him faltering or coming up short. So I’m looking forward to it. I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I’m his teammate and helping him along our quest.”
Norman, Jackson and other players in the locker room have rallied behind Cousins. They may not say it outright, but in talking to them, it’s clear they feel the 28-year-old quarterback gives them a heightened chance of winning.
The front office may be headed down that path, too.
“I don’t think I could throw the ball 10 yards into that thing, but he spun it,” head coach Jay Gruden said, admitting he was surprised at Cousins’ accuracy and arm strength despite the weather.
“He’s always been able to knife a ball through the wind, really. He’s been a good quarterback in the rain and wind. He has a really good release and a good feel for it.”
Cousins, despite some early-season struggles, has elevated his play. He has completed 67.2% of his passes for 3,091 yards (third-best in the NFL) and 17 touchdowns, versus only seven interceptions. His QB rating of 98.8 ranks 10th among starters in the league.
“I'm just always trying to prove myself and I'm always being evaluated and I will always be trying to improve myself as long as I'm playing this game," Cousins said.
More importantly, Washington (6-3-1) has won six of its last eight games and has kept pace in a tight NFC East and the race for one of two wild-card spots. If the season ended today, Washington would qualify for the last berth.
And if Washington does clinch its second consecutive postseason berth in as many years as Cousins has been the starter, the price will only keep rising – whether Cousins plays next season in Washington or somewhere else.
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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