Though Robert Griffin III has been inactive for the first three weeks of the season, Washington reportedly doesn’t intend to trade the embattled quarterback. According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Washington plans on keeping Griffin around in an effort to preserve QB depth in what appears to be a wide open NFC East.
RG3 reportedly won’t be traded this season
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports Washington is pleased with RG3’s attitude since losing his starting job, and wants to keep as much QB depth as possible.
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It’s been a tumultuous several weeks for Griffin, who lost his starting job to Kirk Cousins at the end of training camp after he suffered a concussion in Week 2 of the preseason. Griffin was originally cleared to return for the next game, but then the NFL’s independent neurologist changed his mind and decided the quarterback wasn’t ready. That neurologist has resigned from his position, but stayed on to evaluate Griffin up until the quarterback was given clearance, which happened right before the start of the regular season.
Washington has gone 1-2 this year, and is fresh off a 32-21 loss to the Giants Thursday night. Cousins struggled in the defeat, going 30 of 49 for 316 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Protecting the football has been an issue for Cousins throughout his time in the NFL, as he's thrown 23 picks in 514 career passing attempts. For comparison's sake, failed No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell threw 23 interceptions in 680 career passing attempts.
Though Washington head coach Jay Gruden committed to Cousins last month, a quarterback change isn't out of the question if he continues to turn the ball over –– and Griffin is the man who could take his place. La Canfora also writes it's "not out of the question [Griffin] takes over the No. 2 spot from Colt McCoy in the coming weeks." Washington went 1-3 when McCoy started last season.
Griffin’s hefty contract was probably always going to make trading him a challenge, considering his $16.5 million salary for 2016 is guaranteed for injury. That’s a potentially very expensive flier for any team to take on. Washington could always cut him out, but La Canfora says that idea is “totally unfounded and will not be happening.”
Given the challenges in dealing Griffin, it probably makes the most sense for Washington to hang on to him, especially since he’s seemingly handled his demotion down the depth chart with aplomb. He hasn’t stirred up any controversy in the media, and is frequently seen cheering his teammates on during games.
Griffin’s long-term future in Washington remains a question, but it appears as if the 2012 Rookie of the Year winner will have a spot on the team for the duration of the season. Per usual with Washington, we’ll just have to stay tuned.
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