Skip to main content

Report: RGIII 'extremely angry' about being benched

RGIII is not happy about being shut down. (Simon Bruty/SI)

Robert Griffin

Though his public sentiment might suggest otherwise, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is "extremely angry" to have been shut down for the rest of the season, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

NFL.com's Mike Silver reported that, contrary to embattled Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan's comments on the subject, Griffin has been shut down for performance reasons — not because of health concerns.

Shanahan announced Wednesday that Kirk Cousins would replace Griffin as the Redskins' starter against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. The Redskins also announced that Griffin would be deactivated for the rest of the season.

Reports earlier in the week indicated that Shanahan was attempting to provoke Redskins owner Dan Snyder — with whom Shanahan has built a friction over Griffin — into firing him. Shanahan said earlier this week that he spoke to Snyder before making the move. But Rapoport reported that Redskins coaches expect to be fired — and they want to, so that they can be "put out of their misery."

According to Rapoport,  however, there is virtually no chance that Shanahan will resign, considering the fact that he has "nothing less than $7 million" owed to him next year.

BUKOWSKI: NFL Awards watch for Week 14