Patience is wearing thin in Washington for Robert Griffin III, and now the third-year quarterback could be on the verge of losing his starting spot. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jay Gruden was given approval from higher-ups to bench the quarterback whenever he sees fit and it's "not out of the question" it could come sooner rather than later.
Jay Gruden benching Robert Griffin III is ‘not out of the question’
It’s possible Jay Gruden could bench Robert Griffin III after Washington brass gave him the green light to do so.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Gruden also “received positive feedback” from Washington brass for his comments on Griffin earlier in the week. Gruden told reporters “Robert needs to worry about himself” after Griffin drew some criticism for comments about the play of his teammates, although the quarterback also added he has “extreme confidence” the team will perform better.
The support of Gruden is a shift in the landscape for the franchise, considering Griffin was previously afforded luxuries and opportunities others on the team were not. According to Rapoport, family members of Griffin were given access to areas other players’ family members were not, and Griffin’s wife was allowed to parts of training camp other wives were not.
Much of that shift away from Griffin may have to do with doubts about the quarterback’s ability to return to the form that earned him AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012. In fact, the team has instructed Griffin not to run the ball as often in an effort to avoid another injury.
“Coaches have gone back to 2012 and studied the film that showed RGIII as successful as he’s ever been,” Rapoport said Sunday. “They have doubts that he can be, physically, the player he was back then. They believe injuries have taken their toll.”
Griffin's rookie season ended with an ACL tear in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the postseason that required surgery to repair. In Week 2 of the 2014 season, Griffin dislocated his left ankle and didn't return until Week 9.
★★★
See More:
