The Washington Redskins had a lingering illness, and on January 30th, 2018, that illness got the best of them. Time of death: 7:00 PM.
Any successful NFL franchise knows that having a great quarterback is crucial for winning games. Finding said quarterback is one thing, but actually having one on the roster, with the ability to sign them long-term, is another.
Washington struck oil when they drafted Kirk Cousins No. 102 overall in 2012. Since then, Cousins has broken numerous long-standing team records, while remaining a humble guy in the process. Everything he has done regarding the Redskins has been handled with class. After years of yearning for a franchise signal caller, their prayers had been answered.
Yet somehow, the dysfunctional think tank at Redskins Park found a way to destroy a good thing. The team swung a trade for Kansas City's Alex Smith. In return, the Redskins shipped rising star Kendall Fuller and this year's third-round pick.
Further raising eyebrows, the Redskins gave Smith a four-year extension with $71 million in guarantees. The 33-year-old quarterback is now under contract for five years at $111 million.
On the semi-bright side, the Redskins will receive a third-round compensatory pick in next year's draft for losing Cousins. The trade is not official until March 14, when the new league year begins.
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(Photo: SI.com) |