After two seasons backing up Redskins starting quarterback Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins reportedly wouldn’t mind an opportunity to start elsewhere.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cousins is “open” to being traded from Washington.
The 25-year-old Cousins completed 81-of-155 passes for 854 yards with four TDs and nine turnovers (seven interceptions, two fumbles) in five games in 2013. Cousins started the last three games after then-Redskins coach Mike Shanahan made the call to shut down Griffin for the season.
New Redskins coach Jay Gruden has named Griffin the undisputed starter.
In theory, a trade of Cousins could appeal to Washington, for it could be a way for the club to add a pick or picks in the 2014 NFL Draft. Cousins is signed for the next two seasons at paltry base salaries ($570,000 and $650,000, respectively), which could increase his value, for an acquiring team would get a potential starting quarterback and significant short-term cost certainty at an expensive position.
However, it’s unclear whether Washington would be willing to move Cousins, who is a valuable insurance policy. It seems reasonable to believe that were Washington to be open to dealing Cousins, the club would want to charge a premium for the second-year pro from Michigan State, given the value of the quarterback position.