Remember when it appeared as if Robert Griffin III was going to be the savior for the Washington Redskins? Many people – including myself – actually wondered aloud if the Indianapolis Colts would one day regret selecting Andrew Luck instead of RG3 with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft? Do you remember all of that? Well, it seems as if it was decades ago, as Griffin III is barely holding on to the No. 1 quarterback job in the nation’s capital, with head coach Jay Gruden going as far to call out his franchise signal caller. If this keeps up, is there a chance that the Redskins could look to trade Griffin III to a team such as the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans?
When it comes to the National Football League, we should have learned by now to never say never.
Then again, why would a team even bother taking a gamble by acquiring a quarterback who may not even be the third best option on his current team? Because everyone likes a reclamation project, and egos dictate that many teams and coaches believe that they can turn around careers of those struggling to reach their full potential.
Gruden recently told NFL.com that RGIII has “auditioned long enough,” and that the “clock’s ticking” and “He’s gotta play.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a quarterback who was selected second overall after the Redskins mortgaged a lot to move up to draft the Heisman Trophy winner out of Baylor.
“We have a guy behind [Robert] that played pretty well, and people are looking, ‘OK, he’s 2-0,'” Gruden told NFL.com. “There’s always pressure on the quarterback to perform. And if you don’t perform, like any other position, somebody’s behind you pushing you.”
That would be Colt McCoy. At one point, it appeared as if Kirk Cousins was the best option under center for Washington, but that now also seems like forever ago. Still, if Griffin III does not step up his play, he may not be sporting the red and gold past this current season, which can only be referred to as dismal by those inside the organization.
If the ‘Skins do look to move Griffin III, who will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2015, which team would make sense? The Rams, who traded away the opportunity – and smartly so – to draft Griffin III in 2012, could make sense, provided the price was not too steep. They have been looking for a franchise quarterback ever since they drafted Sam Bradford, who has spent far more time in street clothes than a uniform since coming out of Oklahoma.
The Jets also seem to like collecting mobile quarterbacks, as they currently have Geno Smith and Michael Vick. Smith’s days appear to be numbered with Gang Green, and Vick has very little left. Such a move would not surprise me at all.
The Bills could also make sense, as Kyle Orton has been inconsistent since taking over for E.J. Manuel. The Bills are looking to win now. I am not saying that RG3 is the answer, but Sammy Watkins deserves a better quarterback.
Finally, the Texans may have their answer in Ryan Mallett, who finally got the starting nod for the first time last week. Of course, if he falters, the team will be back to square one.
For a plethora of reasons, it seems as if things just won’t work out for Griffin III with the Redskins. Since they appear highly unlikely to pick up his fifth-year option in 2016, they may as well look to move him.
That is, if they can find a taker.
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