The quarterback position was not supposed to be a hot topic for the Washington Redskins this season. The team was expecting to cruise with Robert Griffin III and not think twice about it. They upgraded their offensive line to protect him and hope was high. However, a concussion in the second preseason game has knocked Griffin out of the starting job and brought Kirk Cousins in. Is this the end of the road for Griffin in Washington?
Head coach Jay Gruden announced via ESPN.com that Cousins would be the Week 1 starter and the 2015 starter for the Redskins as the team looks for consistency at the quarterback position. That means Griffin is benched for the time being. Gruden referred to the Redskins' as "Kirk's team" and is ready to move past the quarterback controversy and focus on the season. This is certainly a far cry from what Gruden stressed at the beginning of the season when he said Griffin was his guy, but now a change has been made putting the former top draft pick's future into question.
After the announced, rumors flew as to whether or not the Redskins would attempt to trade Griffin. According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the front office and coaching staff wants to trade Griffin while the ownership does not. Gruden ruled that idea out saying he would not shut the door on Griffin this year.
"Robert is a pro," Gruden said, via ESPN.com. "We have a lot of respect for what he's accomplished here. ... He's done some great things. We believe in Robert. It's a good problem to have -- to have three quarterbacks that are competing and working their butts off."
Griffin might have had his fifth-year option picked up by Washington, but it seems slim that he remains on the roster after the year is up. The issue for Washington is that Cousins and Colt McCoy are both in the final years of their respective contracts meaning next offseason will be very interesting for the Redskins moving forward. Cousins is certainly getting to put himself on display to show what he gets more money.
Cousins is considered the better quarterback for the offense. According to the Washington Post, Gruden favors a more pass-friendly offense instead of one focused around a mobile quarterback. Cousins certainly has the arm to make that type of plan work as the fantasy value of both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon could be sky rocketing. The run game will also be critical as Matt Jones and Alfred Morris battle it out to be the starter behind the quarterback. Cousins says he truly believes he can lead the team.
"It's a step in the process," Cousins said, via ESPN.com. "It doesn't feel like the finish line by any means."