Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has claimed that the quality of reserve quarterback Kirk Cousins will inspire Robert Griffin III to work even harder on his game in the off-season.
Griffin was rested for Sunday's match against the Atlanta Falcons and is expected to sit out the remaining two matches this season as the Redskins look to protect their star asset from injury.
Cousins threw for 381 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort against the Falcons, and Shanahan hopes that the competition for places will spur Griffin on to bigger and better things.
"When you look behind your shoulder and you know that guy is pretty good, that makes you work a little harder in the off-season. It makes you work a little harder during the week," ESPN quotes Shanahan as saying.
The Redskins have now lost six matches on the bounce and will finish their season with games against the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.
