The Washington Redskins may look at an RG3 trade this offseason if Jay Gruden and Dan Snyder opt to move on from the quarterback and teams like the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be potential options for Robert Griffin III if the team makes a move.
Griffin was pushed back into the starting lineup at the end of the season here with Colt McCoy out with an injury and he has played well in those starts. After reports came out about the team moving on from Griffin in favor of McCoy or someone else, now the Washington Post writes that Griffin is "expected to return" to the Redskins next season. That is a far cry from what was being written a few weeks ago, but it also is not a decision that is set in stone.
Gruden has been critical of Griffin this season, but he has also given Griffin praise when he has played well and it may come down to what Dan Snyder decides about the future of the quarterback. The Redskins see Griffin as a franchise player and since they gave up so much for him to the Rams, they will not get rid of him easily. But the team also has Gruden as head coach on a five year deal and if he feels that Griffin is not the long term answer, things could get complicated.
Firing Gruden would not be a wise option, since that would make for the ninth head coach in a little over 15 years for Snyder, but keeping him could force him into using a quarterback he does not see as a primary starter. Gruden likely will go along if things turn out that way, but he will be in a tough situation no matter what happens. Griffin has a fifth year option coming up and what the Redskins will do in the future will dictate whether they pick up that option or not.
Griffin had an electric rookie season, but since he was injured in a 2013 playoff game his work on the field has not been the same. Gruden has not been pleased with how Griffin has played and he eventually benched him for Colt McCoy. Now Griffin is back in the starting lineup and he comes in after winning over the Eagles, putting in 16-of-23 passes for 220 yards and an interception in the game. Griffin now has 1358 yards and three TDs on the season with four picks in eight games.
Griffin still has not totally gained back the form he had as a rookie and if he remains the starter, Gruden will have to help him develop into a better pocket passer. Griffin showed in the loss against the Giants that he still has some flash in his legs, but he can't do that as consistently as he once did after getting injured. Griffin was at his best in 2012 when he led the Redskins to the division title and the playoffs, passing for 3200 yards and 20 TDs with just five picks. Griffin also had over 800 rushing yards that season, but in the two years since, he has far less than that combined.
