NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
The NFL offseason is underway and the Commanders have some work to do, specifically at the quarterback position. Kevin O’Connell announced the Viking’s plan to stick with Cousins for the 2022 season. However, if Washington misses on one of the bigger quarterbacks (Wilson, Rodgers, Watson), they could inquire about Cousins’ availability and send an offer.
To say Kirk Cousins isn’t a fan favorite is an understatement. His contract dispute in 2016 and 2017 ended with Washington trading for Alex Smith while Cousins signed with Minnesota. In hindsight, giving Cousins the money he was looking for would’ve been the best move.
Life Since Cousins
Washington has had a difficult time finding even a serviceable quarterback since Cousins left. Here are their passing touchdowns to interceptions from 2018 to 2021:
2018: 16 TDs to 15 INTs
2019: 18 TDs to 13 INTs
2020: 17 TDs to 17 INTs
2021: 20 TDs to 15 INTs
Total: 71 TDs to 60 INTs
Since joining the Vikings in 2018, Cousins has thrown 126 touchdowns to only 37 interceptions. Washington’s highest-graded quarterback in the past four seasons was Alex Smith in 2018 at 70.2. Cousins hit a career-high 88.2 grade in 2021, ranking 6th best in the league.
Since Cousins’ departure, Washington has gone through 10 different starting quarterbacks. From Alex Smith’s leg injury to Dwayne Haskins not making it through his second season before getting cut, Washington has been in quarterback misery.[pickup_prop id=”19314″]
Cousins vs. Dak
Just a year ago, Washington fans were clamoring for Dak Prescott before he signed a 4-year deal with Dallas. Comparing Cousins and Prescott’s 2021 seasons, Kirk outplayed him in nearly every facet.
In 2021, Cousins averaged more yards per attempt (7.5), a better touchdown to interception ratio, a higher adjusted completion percentage (77.6%), a higher big-time throw percentage (deep passes thrown into tight windows), a lower turnover worthy play percentage, and even a lower pressure to sack percentage than Prescott.
Most view Cousins as a game manager, yet he managed a deep passing grade of 96.2, 4th best in the league, and higher than Rodgers, Mahomes, and Herbert. His intermediate passing grade of 93.1 also ranked 4th highest.
Cousins’ biggest knock is his inability to win big games (1-2 postseason record). Dak has won just one playoff game in his career with a 1-3 record. So, why was Dak’s inability to win big games not in question the last offseason?
Conclusion
While the Vikings’ record since Cousins joined has not been very impressive (33-29-1), he has dealt with poor defenses and abysmal offensive lines. In three of the last four seasons, Minnesota’s defense ranked 24th or worse in points given up. In all four of those seasons, their offensive line has ranked 26th or worse in pass blocking.
Washington’s offensive line was ranked 4th best in pass blocking in 2021. While the defense struggled this past season, they still have the potential to be a top 10 unit in 2022. The situation in Washington is much better than it is in Minnesota. One that Cousins could thrive in.
Washington fans can hate Cousins all they want, but he would be a massive upgrade and better than over 95% of their other options at quarterback. This trade is highly improbable as Minnesota seems set on keeping Cousins. However, he is refusing to take a pay cut and would like an extension that pays him around $40+ million per year. Kevin O’Connell may look to start fresh and if that is the case, it would be foolish for Rivera to not at least inquire about him.
