Washington Redskins President Bruce Allen on Wednesday sat down with ESPN 980's Chris Cooley to discuss the team's quarterback situation and the future of Alfred Morris.
While all eyes across the league are currently on San Francisco for Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, starting next week all 32 teams will begin their roster building process for the 2016 season.
For the Washington Redskins, that process will be headlined by pending unrestricted free agent Kirk Cousins.
Cousins, of course, led the Redskins to an NFC East title in 2015, throwing for a franchise-record 4,166 yards along with 29 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions.
"Well Kirk, we've had discussions with his representative, and [vice president of football administration] Eric Shaffer leads those efforts for us, but we feel good," Redskins President Bruce Allen told ESPN 980 on Wednesday. "Kirk wants to be a Washington Redskin and we want Kirk to be a Washington Redskin, it'll work itself out."
Cousins was named the Redskins starting quarterback the week before the team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins at FedExField.
It was the first time he was the Redskins' full-time starting quarterback since being selected in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
The Michigan State product had previously started nine games during his first three seasons, but only as a backup to Robert Griffin III.
Despite some of his struggles over the years, specifically with his accuracy, there wasn't any doubt Cousins could be a top quarterback in the NFL.
"Did we believe in Kirk Cousins? Absolutely," Allen said. "[He] wouldn't have been on the team and a year ago or two years ago, would have flirted with trying to trade him, but we didn't want to trade him. We saw talent in Kirk, the type of leader he was, even though he was backing up Robert, or at times backing up Colt [McCoy] as well, and you're happy to see it for him. These players, as you know, put in so much to get to this level, and once they get to the NFL level, they invest even more into their personal skills, and when they're rewarded for it, it makes you feel great."
While the Redskins will have a decision to make with Cousins, they also need to decide if they want to exercise Griffin III's fifth-year option as well.
They have until March 9th to do so. If they elect not to pick up that year of his contract, the Baylor product will become a free agent.
"I think he's going to get an opportunity," Allen said. "And it's what he does with it. You've seen it, I've seen it, you go to the right team and you're in the right environment, and all the magic comes back to you. Being back here in Oakland… we had Rich Gannon, who had gone to six or seven teams before he hit his stride with us and led the Raiders to the Super Bowl. So I think he's going to get an opportunity and it's what he does with it."
Along with Griffin III, the Redskins must also make a decision on fellow 2012 draft classmate Alfred Morris.
Morris has been the team's starting running back for the last four seasons, racking up 4,713 yards and 29 touchdowns.
While he's been one of the most productive running backs over the last four seasons, Morris is coming off a career-low in yards (751 yards) and touchdowns (one).
"Anyone who's met Alfred, anyone who's seen Alfred, you look at him and you think this looks like a perfect gentleman, and you're correct," Allen said. "He is a superstar as a man, as a father, as a husband. He's been incredibly productive for us and in fact, I don't know if there's a running back over the last four years who has more yards than him. And if you can name them, you're only going to be able to name one or two or three guys, so he's been productive. I think free agency is going to be a great test for him. If he gets a great contract, we're going to applaud him. If not, we'll see what happens with us."
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