Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Dilemma: Alex Smith Vs Kirk Cousins
By Ben Almquist
Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Options
Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins
If the Kansas City Chiefs are truly intent on upgrading at quarterback, it’s hard to argue there is a better option than Kirk Cousins. The Redskins drafted Cousins to be the backup to Robert Griffin III, but things worked out much differently. Cousins has started the past two seasons and it primed for a big time contract either from Washington or on the free agent market.
Since getting the chance to start, Kirk Cousins has had some up and down moments, but looks the part of a franchise quarterback. He’s got a solid arm and reads the field well. Cousins moves well in the pocket and can pick up yards with his legs in a pinch. He seems to have all the tools to succeed in the NFL.
However, there are moments when you wonder exactly what it is you are watching with Kirk Cousins on the field. There are some head scratching performances that give you a moment’s pause. Cousins can also tend to disappear a bit in big time games. All of these things are what keeps people from declaring him a top option at quarterback.
Kirk Cousins is saying all the right things about staying in Washington. However, the Redskins have painted themselves into a corner on this and it’s hard to know how it will turn out. Washington should give Cousins a new contract, but it’s fully possible they won’t. With the team already using the Franchise tag on him in 2016, it seems like an unlikely scenario to do it again.
The Numbers
2013: 81/155 (52.3%) 155 yds; 4 TDs; 7 INTs; 4 carries 14 yds; 0 TD
2014: 126/204 (61.8%) 1,710 yds; 10 TDs; 9 INTs; 7 carries 20 yds; 0 TD
2015: 379/543 (69.8%) 4,166 yds; 29 TDs; 11 INTs; 26 carries 48 yds; 5 TD
2016: 406/606 (67%) 4,917 yds; 25 TDs; 12 INTs; 34 carries 96 yds; 4 TD
The Contract
If you’re buying the services of Kirk Cousins, you had better believe in his ability to lead the team. There is no doubt that Cousins will get a big quarterback contract from whomever he plays for in 2016. So if the Kansas City Chiefs are going to invest that kind of money, they had better be sure.