ASHBURN, Va. — A long-term contract remains to be done. But Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is showing no signs of discomfort as he settles into OTAs as the team’s starter.
A year ago at this time, Cousins didn’t have a shot at the No. 1 job. He was behind Robert Griffin III on the depth chart — as he had been almost since the day he was drafted — and fighting with Colt McCoy for backup repetitions at practice.
Now, coming off a wonderful breakthrough season when he set a franchise record for passing yards and led Washington to the NFC East title and a playoff berth, Cousins is settled in even if his long-term status remains uncertain.
“You have permission now to take ownership,” Cousins said. “As a backup or a guy competing for the spot, it doesn’t get received real well to try and take ownership. It looks like you are trying to jockey for the position and be one of those guys. So, you just try to handle it the right way.”
That’s not necessary now. Cousins can now treat OTAs as he would offseason work at Michigan State when he was the clear starter. It was his team then. It is — for 2016 anyway — his team now.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden has tried to challenge Cousins. He’s putting him in situations backed up near the goal line, working on a more efficient red-zone approach, third-down plays, fourth-down calls, two-point attempts. All of it matters even if it’s just spring.
“(Cousins is) obviously playing with a lot of confidence, having a lot of fun,” Gruden said. “He’s got great command of the offense, that’s the one thing that you notice. He’s got great command over the formations. He’s got great command on the snap count, and that’s something he didn’t so much have the first year I was here and even last year in this time of year. But when you get command of the little things, it makes the big things a lot easier.”
Fantasy Buzz: Cousins should be considered a top-10 fantasy quarterback entering the 2016 season. He has weapons galore and plays in a division that lacks defensive punch.