Kirk Cousins in midst of $100M free-agent audition
In a season in which the gap between below-average and elite quarterback play has widened, Kirk Cousins sent out a reminder Thursday that he's very deserving of the $100-plus-million contract that's likely coming his way this offseason.
In a losing cause, Cousins completed 70 percent of his passes, going 26-for-37 for 251 yards and two touchdowns, as the Washington Redskins were beat handily, 38-14 by the Dallas Cowboys.
Cousins also threw two interceptions, but the first went off the hands of receiver Jamison Crowder and the second was tipped by a Cowboys defensive lineman.
While being battered and bruised by the Cowboys' pass rush, Cousins was resolute. And with a depleted roster (tight end Jordan Reed has missed the last five games, while Terrelle Pryor, Chris Thompson, and Rob Kelley are on IR), Cousins did all he could to keep the Redskins in the game.
In fact, he's done so all season. Though the 5-7 Redskins are having a tough season, Cousins may be having his best. After 12 games, he owns a 99.6 passer rating and entered Thursday with a Total QBR of 60.8. which ranked eighth-best in the league. That figure has him above MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the highest-paid player in NFL history, Matthew Stafford.
Stafford signed a record five-year, $135-million extension in the offseason while Cousins was slapped with the Redskins' franchise tag for the second consecutive season.
Thursday night's game was a reminder that Cousins is all but guaranteed at least a $100-million contract of his own, whether it comes from the Redskins or another team via free agency. The demand for a quarterback of Cousins' caliber is too great.
This season, six teams have benched their starting quarterbacks at some point, while nine others have had to play significant chunks - if not the entire season - without their top pivots due to injury.
That's nearly half the league in search of competent quarterback play right in the heart of playoff race season.
The Redskins have three seasons of information on Cousins' ability as a starting quarterback, yet they could still opt to end their shotgun marriage after this campaign.
If Washington opts to move on, Buffalo, Denver, Cleveland, Arizona, Jacksonville, and the New York Giants could all be in the market for a new quarterback. And armed with the leverage of a $30-plus-million annual salary from a third franchise tag, Cousins could seriously cash in on the open market.
A strong crop of college quarterbacks will be available through the draft and will whittle down the potential suitors for Cousins' services, but those looking to win now would be wise to look in the 29-year-old's direction as it appears he's either entering - or currently in - his prime.
With an inferior supporting cast, Cousins keeps padding his stats. He's as accurate as ever and just as efficient.
Lacking a succession plan, Washington could retain Cousins with the aforementioned franchise tag for a third straight year.
Either way, Cousins is getting paid for his underrated play.
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