A timeline of Robert Griffin III’s career

Quarterback Robert Griffin III’s tenure with the Redskins began with such promise, and quickly took a sharp turn in the other direction.

Author:
Kenny Ducey
Publish date:
Jan 11, 2016

Quarterback Robert Griffin III’s tenure with the Washington Redskins began with incredible promise, but it quickly took a sharp turn in the other direction.

After leading Washington to the playoffs in 2012, injuries and dysfunction combined to derail Griffin’s early success. He regressed in 2013, missed most of 2014 and was active for just one game in 2015.

Washington finally released Griffin in March, and with the quarterback set to join the Browns, here is a timeline of his career so far.

NFL draft 2012 – Redskins trade up to draft Griffin

already on the team, St. Louis deals its pick to Washington ahead of the draft. In exchange, St. Louis receives Washington’s first-rounder (No. 6) and second-rounder (No. 39), along with its first-round choices in 2013 (No. 22) and 2014 (No. 2).

The Redskins choose Griffin, a dual-threat quarterback out of Baylor who won the Heisman Trophy in 2011 after throwing for 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns with 699 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing.

The Rams end up trading the No. 6 pick to Dallas for the Cowboys’ first and second round selections, and eventually find themselves with an eight-player haul as a result of the trade.

Sept. 9, 2012 – The debut

John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images

40–32 in New Orleans. Fans start ‘RG3ing,’ mimicking the pose he made while falling to the ground after his first career touchdown pass.

Oct. 7, 2012 – The first injury scare

Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images

. He is diagnosed with a mild concussion, and returns in Week 5.

Oct. 14, 2012 – Griffin’s 76–yard touchdown run seals win

Perhaps the defining play of Griffin’s rookie season comes in Week 6 against the Vikings. Griffin helps Washington rally from an early nine-point deficit and puts the team in front 31–12 in the fourth quarter. After Minnesota rallies, cutting the score to 31–26 late, Griffin scampers for a 76-yard touchdown to seal the win.

November 2012 – Griffin throws eight touchdowns in five days

Amid a seven-game winning streak that would help lead the Redskins to an NFC East division title, Griffin throws four touchdowns in a win over the Eagles on Nov. 18. He matches that performance just four days later on Thanksgiving in a win over the Cowboys. In those two games combined, Griffin throws eight touchdowns and just one interception, also recording 113 yards rushing.

Dec. 9, 2012 – Griffin’s knee problems begin

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images

that Dr. James Andrews, the team’s orthopedic consultant, examined Griffin and allowed him to return.

Dec. 26, 2012 – Griffin is named to the Pro Bowl

Jan. 6, 2013 – The Dr. James Andrews controversy

that he never examined him.

“[Griffin] didn’t even let us look at him,” Andrews said. “He came off the field, walked through the sidelines, circled back through the players and took off back to the field. It wasn’t our opinion. We didn’t even get to touch him or talk to him. Scared the hell out of me.”

Jan. 6, 2013 – Griffin re-injures his right knee

In a wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin twists his right knee, re-injuring it. Three days later, he has surgery to repair his ACL and LCL.

May 22, 2013 – Dad chimes in

that his son should pass more and run less. “To me, you’re paying these [receivers] a lot of money to catch the football,” he says. “I’m his dad — I want him throwing that football, a lot. A lot.”

Sept. 9, 2013 – Griffin returns, but Redskins lose

, 33–27. Washington starts the season 0–3.

Oct. 20, 2013 – Out of his slump?

leads the Redskins to a 45–41 win over the Bears behind 298 yards passing and two touchdowns, with 84 yards rushing.

Oct. 27, 2013 – Griffin leaves with left knee injury

He completes 15 of 30 passes for 132 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before being replaced by Kirk Cousins. Despite the injury, Griffin is able to return for the Redskins’ next game.

Nov. 25, 2013 – A new low

For the first time in his collegiate and professional career, Griffin fails to record an offensive touchdown.

Dec. 11, 2013 – Replaced by Kirk Cousins

announces that backup Kirk Cousins will start in place of Griffin for the remainder of the season to eliminate the risk of further injury.

Sept. 14, 2014 – Carted off with dislocated left ankle

In Week 2, Griffin leaves with an ankle injury after just three plays. He is replaced by Cousins, who throws for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win over the Jaguars. The injury would keep Griffin out seven weeks.

Nov. 25, 2014 – Benched for Colt McCoy

benches Griffin in favor of Colt McCoy.

Dec. 28, 2014 – Ending the season on a high note

Griffin re-gains the starting job after McCoy injures his neck and reels off three encouraging performances. In the Redskins’ season-ending loss to the Cowboys, Griffin throws for 336 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. He also scores his first rushing touchdown since Dec. 30, 2012.

Feb. 18, 2015 – Mike Shanahan blasts Griffin

says that Griffin requested that he change the offense after his rookie season.

“Yeah, he did ask for a meeting. He did talk about, number one, he wanted change,” Shanahan says. “He talked about protection shortening his career. What I tried to share with him is I thought he had probably as good a protection as most rookies do have in their first year because of what he was able to do with the running game. If you compare [Griffin’s protection] to Andrew Luck, it’s not even close. He actually [mentioned] what plays were acceptable and unacceptable, and when he started talking about what plays were acceptable and unacceptable, and that he wasn’t a rookie anymore and wanted to voice his opinion.”

Griffin would respond in July, calling it an “urban legend.”

Aug. 20, 2015 – Concussion and descent down depth chart

Griffin is hit in a preseason win over the Lions and sustains a concussion. He isn’t cleared to play until September, and falls to third on the depth chart behind Cousins and McCoy.

Jan. 11, 2016 – Locker clear-out

After he was inactive for all but one game during the season, Griffin clears out his locker at FedExField, leaving behind only a quote from Mother Teresa that had hung there all season.

March 7, 2016 – Released by Redskins

Griffin is informed by the Redskins that he has been released, ending his tenure in Washington.

March 24 – Signed by Cleveland Browns

The second act of Griffin’s career begins, as he agrees to join the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns.