The Washington Redskins are not expected to have a quarterback battle this offseason, but head coach Jay Cutler is aware certain players want one. Entering 2015, Robert Griffin III has been named the starting quarterback and that is not expected to change. After picking up his fifth-year option, the Redskins are content with letting Griffin prove himself worthy of an extension. However, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy are doing everything they can to earn playing time.
Both Cousins and McCoy saw starting time last season and want it again. With Griffin already penciled in as the starter, first-team reps are hard to come by for both quarterbacks. Gruden is aware just how badly they both want to start and is happy it is pushing improvement.
"You see Colt McCoy do some great things today, Kirk Cousins did some good things yesterday. Both of them are making their case known, both of them, like I said before, have had a taste of a starting quarterback job in the NFL and they both want it back real bad. They're doing an excellent job of competing every day. It's killing them on the inside, I know, that they're competing for the backup job right now, but they are doing an excellent job and you can see them all progressing at a good rate," Gruden said, via ProFootballTalk.com.
Right now the quarterback battle is for the No.2 spot and not the No.1 spot. At this point, the best chance McCoy and Cousins have to show what they are worth is during the preseason. If both play well during the preseason they could at least help their stock for next year when there could be a few more spots open for starting quarterbacks, including Washington. Griffin's future might be set for the coming season, but that does not mean anything is guaranteed after that. Gruden has made it clear that the quarterback is on thin ice and with players like Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Sam Bradford potentially being available last year, the pressure is on Griffin.
"I don't really hear that stuff. We're focused on getting better every day. I'm glad he said some nice things," Griffin said, via ESPN.com. "I just think we're all feeling better about what we're doing. We know a lot more than last year. And for me as a player, you always have to be confident. Sometimes you have to throw a little swag on it."
Teammates are certainly helping the effort for Griffin. The quarterback could be working with a much more dynamic backfield as both Matt Jones and Alfred Morris compete for the starting spot. Improvement is also showing with DeSean Jackson as ESPN reports he and Griffin look much more in sync this year than last season. Meanwhile Ryan Grant, Jamison Crowder and Andre Roberts are all battling for position with Pierre Garcon.