Former Redskins GM on Kirk Cousins: 'I don't see special'

Former Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan still has reservations about quarterback Kirk Cousins.

McCloughan told Denver radio station 104.3 The Fan that the Redskins should be cautious in dealing with the soon-to-be free agent quarterback.

"He's a good player," McCloughan said on Friday, via the Washington Post. "Is he special? I don't see special. But also, we were still building a roster around him to make him special."

McCloughan was responsible in tagging Cousins in 2016 and 2017, at a total cost of nearly $44 million. Should the Redskins go that route again this offseason, the price tag would be $34.5 million -- while the transition tag is $28.8 million.

Cousins, 29, threw for 4,093 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season.

"(Cousins is) talented. Talent is good at quarterback in the NFL. He's won games. I know his record overall is not over .500. I know he has not won a playoff game. But he's competitive," said McCloughan, who was fired by the Redskins in March 2017.

"He works his tail off. He's so methodical. Every day he has planned out. He's always in the building, he's always watching tape, he's always talking to coaches, he was talking to me.

"From the standpoint of the tangibles, they're excellent. You just need to have some talent around him because you don't want him to be throwing the ball 35 to 40 times to win the game. You want to have a running game, have a good defense, good (special) teams, and then let him do what he does."

Coach Jay Gruden offered mild praise for Cousins at the end of the season.

"When you're 7-9, it's hard to say, 'Wow, this guy really was outstanding.'" Gruden said on Jan. 2. "... Kirk had his flashes where he was really good. From a consistent standpoint, over the course of 16 games, you know, we're 7-9. (He) did some great things -- threw for over 4,000 yards and (27) touchdowns I believe, so I think he's a very, very good quarterback, without a doubt.

"But, as far as getting us over the hump from 7-9 to winning the division with all the injuries we had, I think he competed and did some good things."

If Cousins departs, Washington's lone remaining quarterback on the roster is Colt McCoy. The 31-year-old completed 7 of 11 passes for 128 yards with one touchdown in two games this season.

McCoy has thrown for 5,586 yards with 26 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 35 career games with the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Redskins.