MMA
John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

As Redskins wind down, Kirk Cousins works hard not to focus on future

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has endured similar seasons, not knowing where he’d be the following year. First it was high school, before Michigan State’s scholarship offer changed his trajectory. Then it was college, when he knew he’d enter the NFL as a lower-round pick.

So as this season has played out, Cousins draws upon lessons learned. He might be an unrestricted free agent; he might be placed under the franchise (or transition) tag; he might be tagged and traded. He could be in Washington for a while; he might be playing his final four games.

“I’ve learned that the best way to take care of the future is to focus entirely on the present and to be process-focused and not outcome-focused,” Cousins said.

But he allowed himself a dose of reality, too.

“It’s human nature to want to look ahead and know the plan and know what’s coming next,” he said. “But, it’s been great for me to exercise that muscle of every time those thoughts do show up, to say, ‘Let’s focus on the present. Let’s be right here, right now,’ and understand that that’s the best way to prepare for the future. And I’ve certainly had to remind myself of that many, many times as my mind does drift, but as you practice that discipline, you get better at it.”

The Redskins have four more games this season. To make the playoffs, they’d not only need to win each remaining game, but they’d need multiple teams ahead of them to not just stumble, but collapse. Therefore, the Redskins have 53 men playing for their future, whether here or elsewhere. For some, it’s about cashing in as a prominent free agent. For others, it’s about earning any sort of contract.

Regardless of what happens over the next four games in terms of his statistics, Cousins will be a wanted man if he hits the open market. Despite the injuries to key players on offense, Cousins remains on pace to throw for more than 4,000 yards. He's thrown 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions; he's seventh in passer rating and 13th in total QBR. But he’s maintained his focus on the here and now partly because he can’t negotiate with Washington until after the season, per rules of playing under the franchise tag.

“It is a blessing in disguise that it does allow you to just focus on football and it allows both the team and the player to just focus on playing and winning games,” Cousins said. “That’s where my focus is and I think that that’s the best way to give yourself a chance.”

His message to anyone in the final year of their deal was basic. It also sums up why the Redskins still have incentive, even with the playoffs a long shot.

“Anybody who is on a final year of their contract for the Redskins, you want an opportunity this February, this March?” Cousins said. “Let’s go win the last four games and I’ve got to believe that if we do that, every one of us is going to have a great opportunity in February and March.

“People don’t always remember how you start. People always remember how you finish. Let’s finish strong and believe that good things will happen for us as a team if we do that and also as a result individually.”

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