With Washington’s season finally coming to a close, the long expected release of former franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III awaits.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport is reporting it’s not a matter of “if”, but “when” Washington decides to cut Griffin, who was seen cleaning out his locker today, declining to take questions from reporters.
Robert Griffin III declined to talk today as he clears out his locker at #Redskins Park for likely the last time… pic.twitter.com/zlf729Cbyo
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 11, 2016
Robert Griffin III didn’t talk to reporters, but cleaned out locker, leaving only this… pic.twitter.com/gOD0gSvHic
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) January 11, 2016
Just four seasons ago, Griffin was the centerpiece of the Washington franchise. It appeared that after such a long, painful time in D.C., they finally had their franchise quarterback. But then they didn’t.
In 2012, the hype was all around “Griffining“, as Griffin so famously did after throwing a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints in his first career NFL start. His most breathtaking play came in Week 6, as he ran for a 76-yard touchdown to seal the Washington victory over the Vikings.
That season, Washington fell to 3-6, but pulled together seven-straight wins to clinch a postseason berth. In the first game, Griffin would fall injured to the Seahawks and never regain his 2012 form.
Today in Washington, it’s all about Kirk Cousins and his signature phrase, “You like that!,” which he exclaimed after leading his team to their biggest comeback victory in franchise history over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season.
Griffin will find a landing spot, as Ian Rapoport named off a few potential suitors back in December:
Discussed potential landing spots for RGIII when he's released on @NFLGameDay: #Eagles, #Texans, #Saints (or wherever Payton is), #Cowboys
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2015
Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson also recently reiterated that Dallas was a “preferred destination” for RGIII.
Griffin is just 25 years old and could perhaps find that 2012 spark in another destination. But for now, Griffin’s has been one of the more disappointing sports stories in recent times.
