The Washington Redskins would like nothing more than to get rid of Robert Griffin III and put this whole episode behind them. But they can’t say that officially, so what we’re hearing from there are lies built upon lies.
Jay Gruden, the head coach, said that he doesn’t feel like Griffin is a distraction. But from everything we’ve seen over the last two years in Washington and especially since Gruden has been named as the team’s head coach, there’s only one direction Griffin is headed with this team: Out.
The problem is that the Redskins can’t get rid of him. They can’t cut him and trading him is impossible. No one wants a piece of him at this moment. Because of the injuries, but also because of the atrocious ability, although one has to wonder whether or not playing behind a less penetrable offensive line would mean Griffin showing his stuff from the 2012 season again.
The Redskins chose to go with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback this season, for the first time since both he and Griffin were drafted in 2012. Cousins was a fourth round pick that year, coming out of Michigan State, without the attention Griffin got. Cousins made an impression in his relief performances, and last season, when Griffin went down, many thought the Redskins were better for it. They weren’t, but behind that protection, no one would have really been able to succeed.
Now Cousins has an opportunity to grab the quarterback spot for more than just a few games. The Redskins are doing the only thing left to be done. Giving a guy they feel has a shot at becoming a franchise guy his big opportunity. If this doesn’t work, then it’s back to square one for the Redskins when it comes to the most important position, and officially making the last few years a complete waste and failure, as one of the league’s most important franchises can’t get out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.