Friday marks the beginning of the NFL Combine. Sure, prospects met with scouts and coaches Thursday, but today marks the start of 40 yard dashes and broad jumps for NFL hopefuls. It also marks the year anniversary of Washington Redskins’ coach Jay Gruden naming Robert Griffin III as the team’s starting quarterback during the 2015 season. How different things have gone since that proclamation.
Griffin began the preseason as starting quarterback, but a concussion in the third exhibition game forced him to the bench, where he would stay for the rest of the season, as his team would go on to win their second division title in five years. The starting quarterback was in fact, Kirk Cousins, whom had been drafted the same year as Griffin, but in a later round. Cousins underperformed early in the season, yet his late season push showed his true value as a player. Naysayers will point to the fact that Cousins and company did not beat a single team with a winning record. However he set Redskins’ records by slinging the pigskin. He brought the Redskins a home playoff game, and showed glimmers of greatness. Yet, all that may be undone in the coming weeks if management and Cousins cannot reach level terms.
Cousins and Griffin, both pending free agents, are looking for new contracts. While Redskin management has made it clear keeping Cousins is a priority, Griffin will be forced to find a new team in the coming weeks. Similarly, after the stellar season Cousins produced in his first full season as a starter, Scot McCloughan and management cannot agree on a contract. The last resort for the team seems to be the Franchise tag which will give Cousins a one year, $19.5 million deal. This is not ideal for McCloughan, who hopes to sign the Michigan State product to a long term deal that will be less of an initial cap hit for the team. Griffin is owed $16 million for the next season, though the team can cut him, and not owe him a single dime.
In 2012, Griffin was the greatest thing since sliced bread, tearing up defenses with his arm and legs. Griffin was the all purpose quarterback, while Cousins was simply his backup, who saw action three times in his rookie campaign, and failed to overly impress. The franchise had mortgaged their future for Griffin, giving up three first round picks as well as a second round pick to the Rams. Griffin, in turn, gave Washington their first home playoff game in 14 years, while Cousins patiently waited in the back, waiting for an opportunity. Things change though, such as head coaches or general managers, and four years later, it was Cousins who led the Redskins’ into the playoffs, while Griffin rode the bench.
Cousins will most likely be on the Redskins’ roster next year, either with a new contract or through the franchise tag. He is the quarterback of the near future in Washington, and fans are optimistic. Griffin will likely be on another team, and at this point it is almost a guarantee, as team president Bruce Allen stated earlier this week:
“I see Robert getting an opportunity with another team. We’ve heard from some teams that are interested. I think he’s going to have a choice of a couple teams that will let him excel in the future.”
Wherever Griffin ends ups, he will hopefully have another opportunity to play as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Cousins will be given the reigns of the Redskins, and will hope to build on this impromptu division champion season, proving his long term worth to the team. The quarterback situation in Washington shows the fickle nature of the NFL. One minute you are a franchise savior, and then immediately expendable. Teams only need individuals who they believe can help the organization win. Based off this past season, Washington must believe Cousins can win. And despite the bounty Dan Snyder’s franchise paid to draft RGIII, Griffin cannot.
