Biggest 2016 NFL Free Agency Mysteries: Kirk Cousins

Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins was an afterthought in 2014.  Now he is a pending free agent whose value is peaking.

Few commodities are evaluated more closely during an off-season than quarterbacks.  The 2016 NFL free agency period figures to have plenty of conundrums to sort through.  None more so than the 27-year old former backup who has gone from a simple winner-by-default in a battle for the starting job to a legitimate player who seems to be getting better with each week.

So where does he stand going into his first contract year?

The History

Through the first three years of his career, Cousins was nothing more than a frequent blip on the radar screen.  He was a backup quarterback for a struggling franchise who occasionally got to play because the starter, highly touted #2 overall pick Robert Griffin III, was getting hurt often.  Amidst streaks of erratic play, the Michigan State alum would flash some ability before disappearing again.  In total he started nine games in those three seasons.

All told he was 2-7 in those games.  Still, with RGIII continuing to struggle head coach Jay Gruden made the decision for Cousins to become the permanent starter in 2015.

The Intrigue

Since then Cousins has not left the field, starting every game this season.  The results?  Mixed, for the most part.  Washington is 4-5 with a lot of work to do if they wish to get into the playoff hunt.  Nobody has showcased their inconsistency more than their quarterback, who has followed stretches of ugly play with ones of brilliance.

After throwing eight of his nine interceptions in the first six games of the season, Cousins has flipped the script since the end of October.  He has throw eight touchdowns and just one interception is his past three games.  Suddenly teams are forced to stop viewing him as a backup with the good luck to have a chance to start and start considering that maybe, just maybe, the guy has some game.

The Conundrum

For starters, the season is not over.  Cousins still has seven games left to prove himself and every quarterback knows the hardest time of year to do that is in late November and December when the whether turns lousy and the pressure to win mounts.  Secondly, it’s important to note that he’s had his best games this season against Tampa Bay and New Orleans, who boast two of the worst defenses in the league.

Never mind the fact that those performances were also at home.

In essence, Kirk Cousins has shown at least that he might be the best backups quarterback in football and perhaps good enough to start for a team that might be loaded with offensive talent.  However, is he more than that?  There is no question how he handles the rising expectations will bring that story to its end.