Jay Gruden: Kirk Cousins was a better player than Robert Griffin III

Is this even a question anymore?

It’s amazing that Robert Griffin III hasn’t taken a snap for the Washington NFL franchise since Dec. 28, 2014, yet here we are on Jan. 18, 2024, still discussing his four years with the franchise.

But that’s what Griffin wants.

So, why are we here this time around?

During the wild-card game between the Buccaneers and Eagles on Monday night, former Washington head coach Jay Gruden made the following observation while watching Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts.

This is where Griffin enters the chat.

They went back and forth one more time each, but you get the point. It’s still not Griffin’s fault. First, it was Mike and Kyle Shanahan’s fault. Then it was Gruden and Sean McVay’s fault. Later, it was Dan Snyder’s fault. Remember, Snyder was Griffin’s biggest enabler during his four seasons in Washington.

Gruden appeared to be having more fun with the interaction, and as he often does, took a lighthearted approach to the back-and-forth with his former quarterback.

In an appearance on “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday, Gruden joked about his popularity in Washington while discussing his interaction with Griffin.

Gruden also discussed his time with Griffin and Kirk Cousins, most notably why Griffin’s stint with Washington ended.

“When you’re coaching football, you have to play the best player in your building at every position, not just quarterback, and it wasn’t just me who made that decision; it was everybody in the building,” Gruden said, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“Everybody was on board that Kirk and Colt (McCoy) were better fits for what we were trying to do, and maybe (Griffin) lost a step with the zone reads; those can dry out from time to time, and after the zone reads, what are you gonna do? You’re gonna have to throw the ball in third-and-5 or third-and-8, throw the ball to come back and win when you’re down by two touchdowns. That just wasn’t what he was good at, at that time; other guys were better than him, and that was the only reason we made the change.”

What Gruden said here is true. Do you think McVay — one of the NFL’s best coaches — wanted to play Griffin over Cousins? This man was trying to land a head coaching job. He wanted the best player under center, whether it was Griffin, Cousins, Colt McCoy, Babe Laufenberg or Heath Shuler.

Gruden then made these final comments. Some will call them controversial. Some will call Gruden names, but he’s just being honest, which can be too much for some to hear.

“I think everybody could see that, and you can look at it now. … I mean, Kirk was, and is, just a better passer, a better player, and he’s proven that,” Gruden said. “He’s made a lot of money playing quarterback, and I think we made the right decision … but I don’t know, I could be wrong.”

He’s not wrong. And no matter how many want to rehash Griffin’s four seasons and look for scapegoats, well, just follow the money. Kirk’s made a lot of money — and he’s about to cash in again.

Griffin gave Washington fans one of the best years of this generation. The 2012 season was special for many reasons. No one should ever forget Griffin’s role in that season. At the same time, no one should forget the role the Shanahans, Alfred Morris and others played in the franchise’s success that season.

A portion of Washington’s fan base hates every former coach except Joe Gibbs. But if you look at Snyder’s nearly 25-year tenure as owner, Gibbs (version two) and Gruden enjoyed the most success despite almost impossible working conditions at times.

Since his coaching career ended, Gruden has proved to be an excellent analyst. As far as the Griffin or Brian Mitchell stuff, Gruden didn’t start either situation.

And about Cousins, he’s faced his fair share of criticism over the years, but he was playing like a top-10 NFL quarterback this season before an injury ruined his and Minnesota’s season.