Jay Gruden: Winning is 'only thing that matters' for quarterbacks
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden told ESPN that the No. 1 way he evaluates quarterbacks is their ability to win.
Gruden has used three different starting quarterbacks this season: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy. Cousins, who was replacing an injured Griffin earlier in the season, was eventually benched in favor of McCoy, and then when Griffin returned, he too was later benched for McCoy.
"That is the No. 1 factor, and that is it," Gruden said of winning. "Obviously you look at the production and all that stuff, and what he could've done maybe, but winning football games is the only thing that matters to me for a quarterback. And it doesn't matter if they go 12-for-24 for 80 yards and we win, or if they go 28-for-35 for 400 [yards] and we lose, you'd rather have the 12-for-24. The ability to manage a game, stay away from the big turnovers and get the W is all that counts."
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Griffin is back to being the starting quarterback after McCoy was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. Washington is 2-4 in games that Griffin has started, including a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, and 4-11 overall.
"We had that losing streak going and we were looking for answers," Gruden said, "and trying to make changes that would help us win. That’s why we made some decisions we made. Now that [Griffin] got his win, it’s great to see, and he’ll definitely be the starter next week."
On the season, Griffin has thrown for 1,358 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games (six starts).
Washington closes out the season on Sunday at home against the Cowboys.
- Molly Geary
