Robert Griffin III played well on Sunday. He did enough to get the Washington Redskins a 27-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, ending their division rivals chances at a playoff berth. With Colt McCoy injured and no one even looking towards the direction of Kirk Cousins, Griffin stepped up this week and is apparently attempting to change the organization's opinion that he should be traded in the offseason.
Every NFL source is reporting that a trade for Griffin will be the priority in 2015. The quarterback has simply not looked the part of a franchise player and the Washington Redskins are exploring all options regarding his future and there's. However, as NBC Washington reports head coach Jay Gruden will be back with the team in 2015, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Griffin will also be back with the team despite all of the trade talk.
The Redskins sold the farm to get Griffin as their franchise player and have no desire to do so again with another quarterback. Rapoport believes that owner Dan Snyder might not be sold on Griffin as the future, but he is also not looking to completely start over with the quarterback spot. The Redskins are in a better position this offseason having their full allotment of draft picks to work with plus money to spend, but Snyder is not ready to use it all on a big-named quarterback option.
The Redskins need to decide exactly how much longer to invest in Griffin. The quarterback will be owed a lot of money in the coming season if Washington picks up his fifth-year option. If Griffin can play like he did his rookie season, Gruden can use the draft picks and money to invest around the quarterback and get a strong team together. However, if it looks like Griffin is just not the same player, the Redskins would be wise to dump him sooner rather than later. Gruden has remained very complimentary of Griffin which could be an indication that he is staying put.
"I think Robert did a great job," Gruden said, via NFL.com. "I think one, getting the ball out of his hands and making good decisions. He only got sacked twice -- one he had no chance on, the other one was a great rush by their guy against Trent (Williams). Overall. I thought he did an outstanding job of managing the football game, not only in the passing game but he did a lot at the line of scrimmage in the running game, which is very, very important. He did an excellent job."
Griffin is coming off his best game of the year. He went 16 of 23 for 220 yards with one interception and two sacks. It certainly left a lot to be desired, but it is progress. With McCoy hitting the free agent market and Cousins not ready for primetime, the Redskins must be wise when it comes to the decision they make at the quarterback spot. If Griffin worth it or should the team simply just cut their losses and start over?
