The Washington NFL organization is in a completely different place than it was six years ago when quarterback Kirk Cousins departed in free agency.
The team has had two nickname changes since Cousins last played in Washington. Cousins’ nemesis, former team president Bruce Allen, has been gone for five years. But no change is more significant than Dan Snyder selling the team.
Guess who is a free agent in less than two weeks?
And guess who needs a quarterback?
We’ve seen the different scenarios of people hypothesizing about Cousins returning to Washington. However, it never appeared to be based in reality.
Not so fast. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Cousins is open to returning to Washington.
Why would Cousins return to Washington? Yes, things have changed, but the Commanders also have plenty of money to pay Cousins. Also, Cousins is close to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who has strong relationships with new Washington GM Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn. If the Commanders were indeed an option for Cousins, he’d likely hear good things from Shanahan.
Cousins wants to play for a winner, and he will have options. Washington’s window doesn’t seem to mirror Cousins’ next few seasons. But if the Commanders signed Cousins, then business is open for the No. 2 overall pick. Washington already has six of the top 103 picks in the 2024 NFL draft and, if it traded back, could land a massive haul of picks to rebuild the roster while contending as soon as next season.
The odds are still that the Commanders will select a quarterback at No. 2 overall. You are not often in the position to begin a new regime with the No. 2 overall pick in a draft with multiple top quarterback prospects. But what if Washington felt uncomfortable with this group of quarterbacks?
For the first time in seemingly forever, Washington has options — good options.