RG III is back — again — as Browns starting QB against Bengals
By Nick Tylwalk
When you’re 0-12, reverting to the plan you had to start the season but never really got to put into effect is as good a move as any.
Everyone loves a good redemption story, but the one Robert Griffin III is trying to write would go beyond Hollywood’s wildest dreams if he pulls it off. And at this point, the Cleveland Browns would love it if RG III even finished a couple of chapters.
It was rumored this week that RG III might be back in the saddle as the starting QB for the winless Browns, and that will indeed be the case. ESPN reports that Griffin will get the call on Sunday as the Cleveland welcomes the Cincinnati Bengals to town.
Griffin was supposed to be the man calling signals all along after the Browns signed him prior to the season. Instead, RG III injured his shoulder in his very first game for Cleveland, leading to a quarterback carousel that would be difficult to believe if it was anyone but the Browns.
Statistically speaking, rookie Cody Kessler has been the best of the group that has filled in during Griffin’s absence, throwing more TDs than picks and compiling a 92.6 QB rating. The big and obvious problem is that he hasn’t picked up a single win, meaning that switching back to RG III in order to stave off the embarrassment of 0-16 is justifiable.
As ESPN notes, there are financial decisions to be made about Griffin’s future as well. The former Heisman Trophy winner has a completely non-guaranteed 2017 contract, so the Browns need to decide if he’s worth keeping around of if they have to go looking for quarterback help in what doesn’t appear to be a particularly strong draft at the position.
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A good way for RG III to convince the team to keep him would be to get a win. It’s sad the season has come to that, but unless Griffin wants to try starting over again, he’s got to do something now.