Kirk Cousins will spend this offseason as the interim first-string quarterback of the Washington Redskins while starter Robert Griffin III nurses his surgically repaired right knee.
Griffin hopes to be ready for the start of next season, but until he returns, Cousins admitted he's battling a personal tug-of-war over decisively leading his teammates without infringing on RG3's territory.
"Now, in terms of my presence in the locker room and that kind of a thing, I'll probably try to be a little more vocal so that I don't come across to my teammates as somebody who's afraid of that role or not comfortable in that role," Cousins told The Washington Times on Wednesday. "It'll be an interesting balance to have to walk because obviously I don't want to step on anybody's toes, but I also need to be ready if called upon."
Everything we discovered this season about Cousins suggests he'll navigate the role with poise. He capably stepped in for Griffin when called upon in a Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns -- and went back to his No. 2 spot without complaint the following week.
Mike Shanahan did an outstanding job of coaching both rookie quarterbacks in 2012. Cousins certainly lacks RG3's wizardry on the field, but he could start for a handful of other teams in the NFL, and he's proven to be a dynamic leader. The Redskins are in good hands until Griffin makes his way back.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
