Washington Redskins players strongly supported quarterback Kirk Cousins' ascension to the starting role last August, supported him early in the season when he was too inconsistent and now are voicing that support once more.
Two Redskins, receiver Pierre Garcon and defensive end Chris Baker, posted what they would like to see happen: Cousins re-signed to a big contract. Though some at Redskins Park insist talks with the pending free agent remain ongoing, there is no doubt the sides are far apart (albeit with two more weeks before the deadline to apply the franchise tag and with free agency not starting until March 9.). It's been that way since talks began.
#PayTheMan https://t.co/jkgKCOHNpY pic.twitter.com/5s8ApqMOZD
— Pierre Garçon (@PierreGarcon) February 17, 2016
Come on @Redskins pay the man @KirkCousins8 #ILIKETHAT
— Chris Baker (@cbaker92redskin) February 16, 2016
It’s still hard to imagine the Redskins allowing Cousins to depart. But the tweets of support do reveal how Cousins is viewed within the locker room on both sides of the ball. I don’t think anyone inside there confuses him with a Tom Brady or Cam Newton. But there is a lot of respect for what Cousins did, how well he prepares and for what the offense did with all the pieces in place. Even Cousins knows what the receiving talent around him did for his game.
It’s not as if the Redskins’ front office disagrees with the players. They want him back, and I’m quite sure they understand how he’s perceived in the locker room. That doesn’t mean they will pay Cousins whatever he wants just because some players tweet support. Nor should they. But I’m guessing these won’t be the last players to voice their thoughts on this as the deadlines draw closer.