How the New York Giants benefit from the Alex Smith trade
By Sean Dyer
Kirk Cousins is out of the NFC East
By acquiring Alex Smith, the Redskins have clearly decided to part ways with Kirk Cousins.
Cousins once seemed to be Washington’s franchise quarterback but after playing two seasons under the franchise tag, he’ll test free agency this offseason.
Teams like the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars certainly benefit the most by this, as they’ll have the rare chance to find their franchise quarterback in free agency. However, the New York Giants also benefit.
Cousins never did much against Big Blue. In eight career games against the Giants, he was 3-5. He averaged just 253.4 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Cousins was also sacked 21 times and had a passer rating of 67.3.
However, Cousins is an above-average NFL quarterback and made the Redskins a playoff threat. He didn’t beat the Giants much, but he beat other teams.
Cousins and Smith have different QB styles but I would argue that Cousins is the superior player. With him leaving, the Redskins get worse and the Giants’ chances of winning the NFC East get better.
Now we just have to find a way to get Carson Wentz and Ezekiel Elliott out of the division.