Report: Redskins coach Jay Gruden is 'done' with Robert Griffin III
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden is "done" with Robert Griffin III and would prefer that the team make a "clean break" with the dual-threat quarterback this offseason, according to a report from Jason Reid of The Washington Post.
Gruden announced last week that Colt McCoy would start over Griffin in the the Redskins' game against the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday. McCoy threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions in a 49-27 loss that dropped Washington's record to 3-9.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, however, that there is a "real chance" Griffin could be reinstated as Washington's starter at some point this season.
Griffin has struggled over five games this season, completing 69.7 percent of his passes for 869 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions as Washington posted a 1-4 record. When asked last week about being benched, Griffin said, "It was coach’s decision” and that he is "here to help this team win."
Gruden questions Griffin's skills as a pocket passer, considering him a long-term project, as well as his decision-making off the field and interest in enhancing his brand on social media, Reid's report says. Reid adds that owner Daniel Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen may not be "in lockstep" with Gruden's about his stance on Griffin.
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From the report:
To Gruden, Griffin seemed more concerned about enhancing his brand than about honing his pocket skills. Often, Gruden rolled his eyes after being informed about the life lessons the 24-year-old offered on social media. Gruden became frustrated that Griffin, even after Gruden benched him, failed to acknowledge his role in his failure.
If it were up to Gruden, the Redskins would make a clean break in the offseason, taking whatever they could get for Griffin in a trade. But despite Griffin’s awful performance — he hasn’t won a game in more than a year while being benched in successive seasons — the situation may not be so clear-cut for Snyder and Allen, who had key roles in the decision to trade four high-round draft picks for the pick to select Griffin.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Snyder and Allen were tempted to give Griffin another shot at reclaiming the starting job. Or they could take a hard-line approach in trade talks, hoping to recoup a portion of the king’s ransom it took to get Griffin. In either scenario, the Redskins would wind up as losers.
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Reid reported last week that Griffin is "highly unlikely" to return to the team next season.
Griffin, whom the Redskins selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft after trading three first-round picks and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams, is set to earn $6.7 million in 2015 under the terms of his rookie contract.
The Redskins have until May 3 of next year to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option.
Cousins replaced Griffin in the starting lineup after Griffin dislocated his ankle in the Redskins' Sept. 14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,710 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions over five games.
Cousins was benched in favor of McCoy during an Oct. 19 win over the Titans. McCoy completed 85.7 percent of his passes for 427 yards with one touchdown and one interception while leading the Redskins to wins over Tennessee and the Dallas Cowboys.
With Griffin back under center, Washington dropped three consecutive games. Last Sunday, Washington lost to the Colts with McCoy at quarterback.
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- Chris Johnson
