Kirk Cousins (2012-2017) "Radioactive Man"
57 starts (26-30-1)
Completion % = 65.5% (1372/2096)
16206 yrds - 99 TD - 55 INT - 93.7 - 106 sacks
12 Game Winning Drives
The man who was drafted to be an insurance policy who turned into one of the most polarizing players the Redskins have ever seen. Kirk Cousins is "Radioactive Man" for creating a nuclear argument about his abilities throughout his career. It began the second he was drafted and he continued to cause outrage within the fan base for his entire tenure in Washington, most of the time simply by just playing his position. But big things have humble beginnings, and his early career did not point to him being the most sought after soon-to-be free agent on the market.
Cousins grew up in Michigan where he was a three sport athlete in high school. A broken ankle in his Junior year, though, caused Cousins to be over looked by many recruiters, and it looked as if his decision would be between playing quarterback at Toledo or Western Michigan. Luckily for Cousins there was a new coach in East Lansing that could not sign any of his target quarterbacks. Mark Dantonio decided to offer a scholarship to Cousins to play at Michigan State, and Cousins gladly accepted. Cousins would redshirt his first year and back up Brian Hoyer during the 2008 season. He was named the starter for the Spartans in 2009, and between 2010-2011 he would lead the Spartans to 22 wins, a share of the Big 10 regular season title in 2010, and he led the Spartans to the Big 10 Championship game in 2011. Cousins was rounding out a solid college career, but nothing could have prepared him for what was to come on Draft Day.
Mike Shanahan thought he needed insurance for Griffin, and Cousins was sitting there in the fourth round when Shanny apparently had him graded as a second round talent. Shanahan pulled the trigger on Cousins, Redskins nation went ballistic, and Radioactive Man was born. There was controversy abound for the next few months, but it was clear that Griffin would be the starter for the 2012 season. Griffin would ignite the world in 2012, but not without a little help from his fourth round understudy. Cousins would play in three games that season, including winning in relief against the Ravens where he led a game tying drive that required a two-point conversion that Cousins ran in on a QB sneak. The next week he would win in impressive fashion against Cleveland, but no one was about to anoint him over Griffin for beating the worst team in the league. Griffin returned and led the Redskins to their first division title since 1999 and all was looking up until Griffin was carted off the field after going down in the playoff game against Seattle. Redskins nation could only watch as Kirk Cousins was brought in amongst the carnage to try and salvage a win that never came. Cousins looked awful on the big stage, and he would carry this moniker of looking bad in relief for the next two seasons.
Cousins would only see the field as a starter in 2013 after Griffin was deactivated by Mike Shanahan for precautionary purposes. Cousins would lose all three of those games, and he would also lose his patron saint in Mike Shanahan as he and his son were let go by the organization. Jay Gruden was hired in 2014, and it was quickly implied that he was there to resurrect Robert Griffin. The project did not last long, however, as Griffin went down with a dislocated ankle in Week 2. Cousins came on in relief to beat the Jaguars, but the next two games showed Cousins's propensity for frustrating play in critical situations. He would have a masterful game against the Eagles until he threw a bad interception late that cost the Redskins the game, and the next week he inexplicably threw four interceptions in the second half against the Giants. It all came to a head in Week 7 against the Titans where Cousins was benched at halftime because of his poor play. Cousins would never see the field again in 2014, and his inconsistencies seemed to have him forever relegated to a backup position. Everyone assumed that the 2015 season would be Robert Griffin's last chance in Washington, but once again Cousins could never have imagined what was to come.
Before the 2015 season was to start, Jay Gruden shocked everyone and named Kirk the starter for the 2015 season. Radioactive Man was unleashed on the fan base yet again, and controversy encircled his debut as the Redskins starter on opening day. The beginning of the season was just as tumultuous as he led the Redskins on a 90 yard game winning drive in Philadelphia, only to throw a pick six in overtime against the Falcons. Cousins starting job was precarious at best, and down 24-0 in the middle of the second quarter at home to Tampa Bay in Week 7 made it look as if another season, and quarterback, would be lost yet again. We all know what happened. Cousins would lead the Redskins to the greatest comeback in franchise history, and his catch phrase would define the entire season for the Redskins. Cousins would lead the Redskins to another division title, and for one half he kept pace with Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs until the Packers masterfully changed their game plan to running the ball down the Redskins throat. Alas, the Redskins exited the playoffs without a win in 2015.
It is not worth going over the next two seasons because it has been rehashed ad nauseam. For all that has transpired over Cousins's career there are things worth noting that the Redskins are letting walk out the door on March 14. Cousins is the only quarterback to start every game for three consecutive seasons in the Dan Snyder era. Kirk is fourth in all time yards passing in franchise history (16,206 yards), and given three more season he would have been number one. Cousins's three seasons as a starter rank first, second, and fourth in passing yards in a single season in franchise history, and his 29 TD in 2015 ranks second only to Sonny Jurgensen's 31 TD in 1967. His stats over the last three years are comparable with some of the top quarterbacks in the game, and yet he could not deliver a playoff win or multiple playoff appearances as a starter. This coupled with the fact that he was the guy who replaced Dan Snyder's hand picked messiah, his contract dispute wore on the nerves of all involved, and his public statements that he wanted to stay in Washington now have soured a large portion of the fan base have caused a ground swell of resentment for Kirk Cousins as he leaves Washington. It seems ungrateful for these people to chide Cousins on his way out of town considering he arguably gave the fan base the three best consecutive quarterbacking seasons in the last 25 years. But Kirk's departure, and subsequent character assassination by Dan Snyder's minions, have shown that this organization has not learned anything over the last 25 years. Dan Snyder is letting the best quarterback he has ever had walk out the door, and he is kicking him on the way out to save face within the sphere of public opinion. I say godspeed to Cousins because his fate will forever be linked to that of the Washington Redskins. Maybe he pulls a Brad Johnson and wins a Super Bowl, or maybe he becomes Jason Campbell and fades into obscurity. Whatever happens, there is no denying that he gave the Redskins three solid seasons among the direst of circumstances, and everyone should be grateful.
Fun Facts: The top three quarterbacks from the 2012 NFL Draft currently are either out of the NFL or face serious concerns about whether or not they will come back from injury. They are Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, and Ryan Tannehill. The sixth (selected 75th overall), seventh (selected 88th overall), and eighth (selected 102nd overall) quarterbacks selected have combined for two Super Bowl Championships and two could fetch high prices for their services this offseason. They are Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, and Kirk Cousins.
Cousins is 4-2 in his career against those fellow 2012 draftees. His four wins have come against Nick Foles, Russell Wilson, Brandon Weeden, and Brock Osweilier.
Cousins was able to face and defeat Brian Hoyer in the Redskins 2017 game against the 49ers. Remember that Cousins sat behind Hoyer at Michigan State.
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