When the New York Jets lost Geno Smith to a broken jaw in August, the team tried to be creative about filling the void and one possibility was trading for Kirk Cousins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jets inquired about Kirk Cousins, Washington wouldn’t listen
Washington had no interest in trading Kirk Cousins when the Jets came calling.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Rapoport says the Jets called Washington to inquire about Cousins, but were told he wasn't available for trade. Just a few weeks after Smith's jaw was broken by a punch from IK Enemkpali, Washington head coach Jay Gruden named Cousins the starting quarterback ahead of Robert Griffin III, explaining why a trade earlier in August wasn't a scenario the team was interested in.
Cousins earned the starting job by completing 75.5 percent of his passes in preseason with 435 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. That was enough to send Griffin to the bench after a concussion suffered in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions held him out of action and seemingly put a bow on a roller coaster ride of a career that featured plenty of mishandled situations and conflicting reports.
That level of play was also enough for the team to completely ignore the Jets. According to Rapoport, Washington “would not consider it, wouldn’t even talk about it.”
The Jets made other calls around the league as well, per Rapoport, but didn't end up making a deal. Instead it will be Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the way and rookie Bryce Petty serving as the backup while Smith's jaw heals. That contingency plan could turn permanent too, if Fitzpatrick manages to play well for the Jets.
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