Washington Redskins name Kirk Cousin as starting quarterback for 2015

The Washington Redskins have named Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback for the 2015 season, coach Jay Gruden announced on Monday.

Cousins won the honour over former second overall draft pick Robert Griffin III, whose career has steadily declined since a sensational rookie campaign in 2012 when he led the team to the playoffs and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honours.

"We feel like at this time, Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to win," Gruden said. "It's Kirk's team."

Griffin, who has struggled since tearing his right ACL and MCL in a January 2013 playoff loss to Seattle, was expected to start last Saturday's pre-season game at Baltimore before being scratched the previous day in the wake of a concussion suffered on August 20 against Detroit.

Cousins, taken in the fourth round of the same draft that Griffin was chosen in, took over and led Washington's starting offense to its first two touchdowns of the pre-season.

"It's not so much what somebody didn't do; it's just what Kirk has done. He has really opened our eyes," Gruden said.

Gruden added that Cousins "has taken a giant leap" since being benched in Week 7 of 2014 after committing 11 turnovers in five games.

"There's something powerful about knowing you're believed in, something powerful about knowing where you stand," Cousins said.

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Cousins also praised Griffin for the example and leadership he has provided.

"He remains classy, he works very, very hard and I learn from that example," Cousins said.

With Griffin still in the NFL's concussion protocol program, Gruden opted for Cousins, who has started nine games when Griffin has been hurt, going 2-7.

Cousins will sit out the pre-season finale Thursday against Jacksonville, with Colt McCoy playing the entire game.