5 reasons signing RGIII is great for the Cleveland Browns
By John Buhler
4. It’s only a two-year deal
This was a wise deal for the Browns to make because Griffin is only playing on a two-year deal in Cleveland. If the RGIII experiment on the shores of Lake Erie doesn’t pan out and leads to another disastrous campaign in 2016, the Browns can cut Griffin and it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Griffin still has talent, but his stock couldn’t be any lower than it already is entering the 2016 NFL season. The quarterback that the Redskins gave up a king’s ransom for to get the No. 2 overall pick from the then-St. Louis Rams failed after two years in the nation’s capital. The Rams are on the verge of playoff relevancy from all the picks general manager Les Snead acquired in the RGIII deal, and the Redskins have moved on to a new potential franchise quarterback in Cousins.
Given that Griffin will be the third franchise quarterback that the Browns have had in five seasons, it seems that under owner Jimmy Haslam, Cleveland will cut its losses after two years with both quarterback and head coach. If Griffin fails again in Cleveland, look for the Browns to look for another franchise quarterback in 2018 like UCLA’s Josh Rosen or even Georgia’s Jacob Eason or Ole Miss’ Shea Patterson.
Since this is RGIII’s last chance to prove that he is an NFL starting quarterback, the Browns — in a shocking bit of mental fortitude — have the leg up on a player in this situation. While Griffin could theoretically revive his career in Northeast Ohio, the ball is truly in the Browns’ court with this contract situation.
Next: 3. Cleveland can now compete at quarterback in AFC North