Gruden: 'Without a doubt' Redskins are better with Smith than Cousins

The Redskins just can't help themselves. Even though Kirk Cousins has left the franchise and signed with another team, Washington staffers continue to criticize their former quarterback.

The latest verbal jab came from Redskins head coach Jay Gruden at the coaches breakfast during league meetings Tuesday morning.

Asked whether the Redskins got better by trading for veteran quarterback Alex Smith and allowing Cousins to hit free agency, Gruden responded, "Without a doubt," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Gruden said he didn't want to get into comparisons about the two signal-callers, but added that Washington "definitely improved" at the quarterback position.

While it's up for debate whether Smith is better than Cousins, the Redskins felt they needed more security at the position after Cousins played the final two seasons on the franchise tag.

In Smith, the 'Skins are getting a 33-year-old three-time Pro Bowler who has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Cousins, 29, has made the Pro Bowl once, but he had a superior passer rating and QB rating to Smith's in two of the past three years.