The Washington Redskins have enjoyed a bit of good fortune recently, which a lot of fans will probably chalk up to a sort of karmic realigning after the unmitigated disaster that was the RGIII era. With the promise of 2012 dashed one muddy day in D.C. and despite RGIII sticking around through the 2015 season, Washington, under the direction of second-year GM Scot McCloughan, and its fan base have done their best to move on.
Kirk Cousins' ascension to starter and the team's unexpected NFC East crown and playoff berth last year helped ease some of the pain of the lost picks and dashed hopes that accompanied Griffin.
Josh Norman falling into their laps in free agency was another shocking turn of events - though that contract, whoo-ee - that should turn their mediocre secondary from a liability to a strength. And a potential long-term Cousins contract, if the team and player are able to hammer something out prior to the season, would presumably be the cherry on top of all that positivity.
"We're still in discussions and they're positive," McCloughan said recently of the team's talks with Cousins. "You know, it takes both sides to get to an agreement. But... it's a positive thing and there's a positive feeling here about him."
Pressed further on whether he believes a deal for Cousins was in the offing, McCloughan added, "Yeah, I think so."
While that's not the unequivocal affirmative answer plenty of Washington fans will want to hear, it's the best answer for McCloughan and the franchise. Because really, despite the playoff berth and Cousins' strong play last year, there's no telling how he'll do in his second turn as a starter.
There have been plenty of players whose tendencies were picked apart by NFL coordinators, honed in on by NFL defenders, turning strengths to weaknesses and long-term starters to question marks.
Sure, Cousins' 4,166 yards, 29 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 101.6 rating and rapport with versatile Washington tight end Jordan Reed were promising signs. But what if he fails to take another step in 2016? What if the NFL catches up to him and Washington's play-action-heavy West Coast attack?
Will fans still be clamoring for a long-term extension then?
No, McCloughan is too intelligent and too shrewd to lock himself into a player that still has so much to prove. The $20 million franchise tag is a hefty price to pay to audition Cousins again, but it's worth it. If Washington and Cousins do put pen to paper on a deal, look for it to come either during or after the season, as Cousins continues his strong play.
And if it comes before then, it'll likely be structured in a way that allows Washington to cut ties with no muss or fuss after only a season or two.
