With a lifetime's worth of financial security hanging in the balance, Kirk Cousins is under as much pressure as any quarterback this season.
After tossing three interceptions and missing a host of open receivers through two games, he's facing increased scrutiny.
Washington Redskins wide receivers have already grown frustrated with their quarterback, particularly for locking onto primary reads, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on Monday's edition of Up To The Minute.
In a Monday appearance with WJFK-FM in Washington, Cousins said it's "understandable" that teammates would grouse about their slow start to the season.
"I think people respond with emotion like you said. 0-2 is 0-2," Cousins said. "It's tough. No one wants to be there. I think we all feel like we're too good to be 0-2. We have too many players, too much talent. In a lot of ways, (we) aren't playing at the level we're capable of."
To Cousins' credit, he is neither fanning the flames of discontent nor backing away from the criticism.
"You take ownership, you step to the forefront and you lead and you challenge guys and you say what you need to do better," Cousins continued. "I think together, we can do that. That's what I'm going to do. That's what I've done my whole life, my whole life as a football player. This is no different. This is not new territory for me. I've faced challenges before, adversity before on the football field. We're going to find a way to move forward and play better. We're going to do it together."
Although coach Jay Gruden emphasized that the team's 0-2 record doesn't rest squarely on his quarterback's shoulders, there is concern that Cousins has shown tangible signs of regression after emerging as a competitive advantage down the stretch last season.
Cousins isn't the only core member of the offense with his future on the line.
Veteran wideouts DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are also in contract years, which no doubt factors into their frustration level when the aerial attack stumbles.
If Cousins can't right the ship, all three of them could be looking for a new team in 2017.
