WASHINGTON — Kirk Cousins has elevated his game to another level over the past eight weeks, helping lead the Redskins to the peak of the NFC East in the process, but he’ll need to climb a little higher to suffice Colin Cowherd’s standards.

Only trouble in that, Cousins is a limited player, Cowherd says.

“Funny thing about Washington fans; they’re so desperate, they’re so beaten down,” the Fox Sports Radio host said on Tuesday. “They’re like Cleveland or Buffalo fans. They are just rejoicing over Kirk Cousins.”

“He’s not as talented as [Tony] Romo, he’s not as talented as Eli [Manning],” he added. “It’s a wonderful story, but you do realize because you’re so desperate, you’re going to now overpay for Kirk Cousins and give him a contract that’s worth much more than his actual ability.”

That certainly sounds like someone who thinks the Redskins should tread lightly with Cousins and his next contract.

“Nice quarterback. Creates some stability,” he continued. “He’s not an A quarterback. He does nothing at the highest levels — feet, arm. He’s a nice story, I get it. Chaos for years. But if RGIII was never part of the fabric of the franchise, would they be going crazy on Kirk Cousins?

“It’s the depth which creates this, you know, like unbelievable love for Kirk Cousins, who’s a nice kid — a really nice kid — but really is a limited player.”

One really must decide the threshold for the ‘highest level.’ If it’s being the absolute best in the league at something, Cousins does completion percentage (69.7) at the highest level. If placing within the top ten is the statistical threshold, he does passing yards (3,625) and passer rating (97.2) at the highest level. Also, despite his low-level feet, Cousins has managed to rush for the second-most touchdowns among QBs.

And if we’re talking interceptions, well, Cousins does have some work to do before claiming to be one of the best. He’s been pretty bad at developing that facet of his game, actually. With only 11 interceptions, there’s still eleven quarterbacks who are better at throwing the ball away.

Anyhow, turns out Cowherd talked about Cousins the day before, too, praising the quarterback for his acknowledgment of “the process” during his post-game press conference Sunday.

“The process. That’s very encouraging if you’re a Washington fan,” Cowherd said. “Because I never thought Mike Vick liked the process. RGIII did not like the process. I don’t think Johnny Manziel likes the process. Tom Brady loves it. Peyton Manning loves it. Russell Wilson — 5 a.m., offseason — loves it.”

“It’s the first time since 2009 Washington’s had one quarterback start the entire season,” he said. “For this team and this franchise, I don’t think he has an incredibly high ceiling, but if I’m Washington, he is exactly what the doctor ordered. Stability, head down, into the process. Bit by bit by bit by bit. It’s masonry. Everybody wants to be Anthony Bourdain. Do you really like the process on a Tuesday — restaurant half-full, no cameras there, nobody wants your autograph — working in the kitchen? No exception. All the great ones, every industry, they do.”

But wait. Now it sounds like Cowherd thinks the Redskins should re-sign Cousins?

He must be slaving away at that ‘unpredictable’ process. You never quite know what you’ll get with the guy.

Segment by segment by segment by segment. Radio masonry. He’s like the Howard Stern of sports-talk.

While the other radio hosts are resting on their ethical laurels by offering consistent viewpoints, Cowherd’s in the kitchen, head down on a Monday, lighting the stove at 6 a.m. Comparing Cousins with the greats of the game one second, telling you about his low ceiling the next.

You’ve got to respect a guy like that.

Keep chopping wood, Colin.

Follow @ChrisLingebach and @1067TheFanDC on Twitter.