2016 was an important year for Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Redskins organization was trying to make the choice about whether or not the keep Cousins running the offense for times to come. Cousins was playing his hardest to try and win his team a spot in the playoffs and get himself a long term contract. Cousins was unable to earn the Redskins a spot in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean he had a bad year as a quarterback. In fact his stats were all above the NFL averages. Cousins did struggle in big situations, but that doesn’t mean the Redskins failure wasn’t all his fault. The Redskins defense was one of the worst in the NFL, and a few of the Redskins losses were in no way Cousins fault. The heartbreaking tie with the Bengals where Dustin Hopkins, the place kicker, missed a thirty three yard field goal which is normally an easy kick for Hopkins. The Redskins still have a big decision to make about Cousins’ future in Washington.

 The Washington Redskins ended the season 8-7-1, and third in the NFC East. The offense led by Kirk Cousins was ranked second in the NFL to the New England Patriots. Most would say this would lead the Redskins to a very successful season, but the defense was the worst in the NFL. The Redskins powered through this set back and were able to have a serious chance at the playoffs. However, the Redskins needed a win against the New York Giants in order to secure their spot. With under two minutes to go and on the Giants 45 yard line things were looking good for the Redskins. They needed to move the ball twenty yards to make an easy field goal for Hopkins or they could score a touchdown. Either one would have gotten them into the playoffs, but Kirk Cousins threw an interception to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that ended the game and the Redskins playoff dreams.

 Talking about how the Redskins did as a whole is important, but the main focus has to be on the main man Kirk Cousins and his 2016 stats. This was Cousins second year as the Redskins starter, and he did surprisingly well. Cousins threw for 4,917 yard twenty five touchdowns and only twelve interception with a great sixty seven percent completion rate. However, Cousins could not perform when the Redskins needed him most with throwing some interceptions in key situations for the Redskins. The Redskins offense was too one-dimensional due to their lack of running game, and this caused for the other team to use two safeties to help protect against the pass instead of putting an extra lineman or linebacker to stop the run. Another argument against Cousins is that one reason he did so well is due to the talent of his receiving core. Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Jamison Crowder are all incredibly talented and are possibly the most talented group in the NFL. Obviously Cousins still had to deliver the passes, but it’s easier when he doesn’t have to be one hundred percent accurate every time.

 Before making any decision about Cousins future, it is important to look at how he affected the team. 2012, Cousins was the backup of rookie sensation Robert Griffin the third. After RG3 got injured, Cousins started one game and he won it. Come 2015 RG3 is the back up to Cousins after two consecutive seasons with four or less wins. In 2015 Cousins led the Redskins to the playoffs and performed at an exceptional level. Jay Gruden, the Redskins head coach, said “He makes everyone around him better,” referring to Cousins. In fact he did make the team better by bringing a fiery attitude toward every game and eventually getting the catchphrase “You like that,” which Cousins said after a game in which he led a game winning drive. In 2016, Cousins led the second best offense in the NFL and he performed well above NFL averages. The question the Redskins need to answer is do they want to keep Cousins running the team after a season where they didn’t make the playoffs.

Comparing Cousins Stats: https://infogr.am/917eda84-9100-4430-8b35-769b292313ad