Robert Griffin III Volunteers to 'Run it Back' As Browns QB Amid Deshaun Watson Injury

The Browns will be without Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season after the quarterback underwent surgery to repair a shoulder injury. 

At 6-3, the playoffs are very much in reach for Cleveland, but without their starting quarterback, the path to the postseason will be significantly more difficult.

Robert Griffin III thinks he’d be able to provide some cover for the Browns, should they reach out. 

The former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst spoke about the quarterback situation in Cleveland during a recent episode of his podcast, The Ones. During the episode, Griffin graciously volunteered his services to the Browns.

“The Browns should sign me as their starting quarterback,” said Griffin.

Griffin argued that, at 33, he has strong game knowledge and has learned from the mistakes he made during his playing career. He also described the play of Watson during Cleveland’s Week 10 win as being that of a “game manager,” a role he thinks he’s more than capable of filling. 

“Deshaun Watson went 14-for-14 in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens... Of those 14 passes, there weren’t really any of them that you would say were $230 million worthy passes. All they needed him to do was manage the game...” said Griffin. “Well, guess what? I can do that. I can go out there and manage a game for the Cleveland Browns and help them go on the Super Bowl run that they want to go on.” 

Furthermore, Griffin claimed to still be able to run a 4.3 second 40-yard dash and throw the ball 80 yards. 

Although the team named Dorian Thompson-Robinson as its starter, Griffin made clear that he thinks he’s more than capable of filling the void left behind by Watson. If not, he even maintained he’d be open to backing up and mentoring Thompson-Robinson.

It’s not the first time Griffin has pitched his case to return to the NFL this season, having presented a similar argument to the Jets in the aftermath of Aaron Rodgers’ injury.

It wouldn’t be Griffin’s first go-around in Cleveland, where he started five games during his lone season with the team in 2016, going 1-4 with two touchdowns and three interceptions.