Robert Griffin III is expected to be released by the Cleveland Browns, after playing just five games in 2016 due to a shoulder injury.
The Cleveland Browns have no more time to allocate for Robert Griffin III’s football reclamation project. One day after executing a stunning trade which stylistically resembles those seen in the NBA, the Browns are now expected to release the former Heisman trophy winner, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A year ago, Robert Griffin III signed a two-year contract, and expressed optimism about his future with the Browns after a tumultuous period with the Washington Redskins. He was named the Browns’ starter prior to Week 1. And then Griffin promptly suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Could this be Robert Griffin III’s last chance at being a starting quarterback in the NFL? His magical rookie season in 2012, when he won Rookie of the Year, made the Pro Bowl, and led the Washington Redskins to the playoffs, seems like a millennia ago.
Griffin III just turned 27 years old, but injuries have derailed what looked to be a promising NFL career. He’s played so little football over the last few seasons, and will have a hard time trying to sell any team on bringing him in to start. At this juncture, it might be best for Griffin to settle into a backup role, taking less money but also sustaining his viability in the league. It’s hard to see much interest from teams in anything other than that, anyway.
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The are rumored to have little interest in keeping Brock Osweiler as their long-term answer. They are also believed to be targeting New England Patriots’ backup quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, whom the Patriots are not expected to trade.