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The Washington Redskins may be in search of a quarterback this off-season. Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent, if the Redskins choose not to place a franchise tag on him for the third consecutive season. Names have been thrown out that the Redskins would be interested in replacing Cousins, through both free agency and the NFL Draft. One of those names that continues to surface from the draft is former Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph is one of the more hopeful prospects to get drafted in the first round. His draft stock ranges from first round to third day as quarterbacks may be a loaded position this draft and to many, not much separates the top seven names. With the Senior Bowl this week, NFL teams have been able to scout and interview prospects in Mobile, Ala. While there are many scenarios in place during the draft, Rudolph is making the case to be a perfect fit for the Redskins.
In an interview with NBC Sports Washington’s J.P. Finlay, Rudolph revealed his childhood dream is to play for the Washington Redskins while confirming he had an interview with the team.
Likely first-round quarterback Mason Rudolph says it'd be a "childhood dream" to be drafted by the #Redskins this April 👀 pic.twitter.com/lPJhBBPjGq
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) January 23, 2018
Later, Rudolph elaborated more on why the Redskins were a child choice of his in an interview with Craig Hoffman of 106.7 The Fan.
“I lived in Virginia, so that was the closest team to cheer for,” Rudolph told Hoffman. “I always loved turning on the game Sunday afternoon watching the Skins play. That was kind of my team, really.”
Rudolph, a Rock Hill, S.C. native explains that his family are good friends with Redskins’ legendary coach Joe Gibbs’ family.
“Me and my brother are good friends with the Gibbs’ grandson, the boys,” Rudolph said. “Jackson, who’s the quarterback at UCLA now; Miller; and then Jason and Taylor. Great family. Obviously, my parents were good friends with J.D., Coach Gibbs’ son, and so we were close in proximity.”
“I was in Rock Hill (S.C.), they were in Charlotte (N.C.), and so we’d get together growing up all the way up through my childhood, take vacations together,” he said.
There may not be a more perfect option to replace Cousins than Rudolph.
Throw in the fact, he grew up a Redskins fan, friends with the Gibbs’ family, and playing for Washington is a childhood dream. Even those who beg of the Redskins to re-sign Cousins, can’t ask for a better alternative, if Cousins departs.
