As many as eight teams could have interest in Redskins QB Robert Griffin III By ESPN.com
Thursday, January 14, 2016
The Washington Redskins likely will release Robert Griffin III at some point after the Super Bowl and before the new league year begins on March 15 instead of paying him his $16.2 million option for 2016.
NFL Nation rates the level of interest there would be in Griffin across the league:
HIGHPhiladelphia Eagles: The Eagles would have to take a hard look at Griffin. They saw him up close during that remarkable 2012 season, when he looked like he'd own the NFC East for the next 10 years. If there is any chance Griffin can be that guy again, he would look pretty darn attractive compared to Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez. This could change with the hiring of a coach, but interest should be very high. -- Phil Sheridan
MEDIUMBuffalo Bills: I wouldn't completely discount the possibility of Griffin coming to Buffalo because the Bills might be able to snag him at a low price this offseason. The question the Bills' front office must answer is whether Griffin would be an upgrade over backup EJ Manuel, who went 0-2 as the starter this season but has a fully guaranteed base salary next season. The Bills can't save anything by releasing Manuel, and with their tight salary-cap situation, they can't afford to pay Griffin much more than the minimum salary. He would need to be cheap and offer upside over Manuel. -- Mike Rodak
Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler has one year of guaranteed money left on the books, so the idea of Chicago adding another veteran quarterback is not out of the question. Unlike Johnny Manziel, Griffin is not an off-the-field risk, and therefore a player the Bears may consider. While the ideal route for the Bears to take is to draft a quarterback, there is zero experience presently on the roster (David Fales and Matt Blanchard) in the event Cutler is hurt in 2016. Griffin is a long shot, but Chicago needs quarterback help. -- Jeff Dickerson
Cleveland Browns: The Browns need a quarterback and owe it to themselves to turn over every rock. The team was willing to give up numerous draft picks to trade for Griffin when he came out of college. They probably will at least investigate him this offseason. New coach Hue Jackson is a quarterback guy, so if he sees something worthwhile in Griffin, he and the Browns will look into it. -- Pat McManamon
Denver Broncos: The Broncos will have plenty of questions to answer at quarterback by season's end. Peyton Manning's future at age 39 is uncertain, and coming off two seasons in which he has dealt with thigh, shoulder, rib and left foot injuries. Manning has a year left on his contract, but the cap figure is more than $20 million. Backup Brock Osweiler is set to be an unrestricted free agent. Executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway has said he wants Osweiler on the roster for "a long time," but it's possible Osweiler could get a bigger deal elsewhere. Rookie Trevor Siemian is a prospect the Broncos like as well, but Griffin would get at least a look, as well as some discussion -- as a potential backup initially as he resets his game -- because he would fit what the Broncos do on offense. -- Jeff Legwold
Houston Texans: I'd put the Texans on the lower end of the medium spectrum. When asked if the Texans were going to go out and get a quarterback, owner Bob McNair asked, "Who?" I threw out Griffin's name and McNair mentioned his injury history before being reminded Griffin is still under contract, which McNair then noted. The Texans will exhaust their options at quarterback, and if they feel Griffin can be accurate and committed to learning their offense, they'll take a look. -- Tania Ganguli
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are committed to Alex Smith as their starting quarterback but I could see them having interest in RG III if he's willing to be a backup and sit behind Smith for a couple of years. The Chiefs could be looking for a veteran backup because Chase Daniel is in the final season of his contract. -- Adam Teicher
St. Louis Rams: In many ways, RG III and the Rams would bring his NFL journey full circle. It was the Rams who originally traded the No. 2 selection for a bounty of draft picks that allowed Washington to pick Griffin in the 2012 NFL draft. It's not out of the realm of possibility. Rams coach Jeff Fisher has said he will explore various options when it comes to quarterbacks after starters Nick Foles and Case Keenum combined to land the Rams at the bottom of the NFL in nearly every major passing statistic in 2015. The question is really about whether Griffin is better than what the Rams have and whether whoever is running the passing game can understand and utilize his skills to get the most out of him. If the answer to both of those questions is yes, Griffin could be in play. -- Nick Wagoner
LOWArizona Cardinals: Mobile quarterbacks don't fit the mold of a Bruce Arians-style quarterback. He likes quarterbacks who are tall and strong-armed and like to drop back -- more traditional quarterbacks. And RG III is not that. -- Josh Weinfuss
Atlanta Falcons: Although Matt Ryan had a down season in 2015, the Falcons are nowhere near ready to give up on their $100 million quarterback. And as things look right now, the team won't give up on offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan either. That being said, Shanahan already went through the process of trying to cater his offense to fit Griffin when Shanahan held the same role in Washington. It ended with a messy divorce after Shanahan was fired alongside his father, Mike, while RG III survived another two years with the Redskins. -- Vaughn McClure
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens already have their backup in place after signing Ryan Mallett in December. Unless his off-the-field issues resurface, Baltimore won't need another experienced quarterback in 2016. Plus, Griffin probably doesn't suit what the Ravens are looking for at quarterback. Baltimore had a scrambler in Tyrod Taylor for four seasons, but the Ravens have looked at pure dropback passers (Matt Schaub, Jimmy Clausen and Mallett) since Marc Trestman became the offensive coordinator. -- Jamison Hensley
Carolina Panthers: Griffin said this about the zone-read option last year: "It's not how I made my name; I made my name throwing the ball in college." The Panthers base much of their offense with Cam Newton out of the zone-read. It keeps teams off balance. They even use it some with backup Derek Anderson, who is not a threat to run. With Newton locked up long term and Anderson under contract for another year, investing in Griffin doesn't make sense, even if he comes at a bargain. -- David Newton
Cincinnati Bengals: Just as with Manziel, there is no reason for the Bengals to have interest in RG III. It was a former offensive coordinator who made it clear he didn't want Manziel around, much like his Bengals predecessor finally did in Washington. In that case, it was Jay Gruden who wanted to move beyond RG III. So why would Marvin Lewis want to be burdened with Griffin? Besides, the Bengals have a very good situation at quarterback, with Pro Bowler Andy Dalton being backed up by AJ McCarron. The second-year reserve very nearly led the Bengals to their first playoff win in 25 seasons last weekend. -- Coley Harvey
Dallas Cowboys: Nobody has dazzled Jerry Jones more than Griffin did on Thanksgiving in 2012 when he threw four touchdown passes. But it has never really been as good for Griffin since that game in a lot of ways. Will Griffin's health allow him to be that good again? Can he function out of the pocket? If the Cowboys are to draft a quarterback in the early rounds, they have to have more of a sure thing as backup. I will say this: There could be more interest in Griffin than Manziel among Cowboys folks. -- Todd Archer
Detroit Lions: The Lions have their quarterback and since RG III is likely going to be looking for a chance to start, Detroit won't be an option. The Lions are entrenched with Matthew Stafford and Griffin would have no shot of replacing him. If he were willing to take a backup role, you never know what new general manager Bob Quinn wants to do, but that would seem very, very unlikely. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: Backup quarterback Scott Tolzien is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason and considering the way he played over the summer, there's at least a chance another team might bring him in to compete for a job. Even if that happens, the Packers are high on No. 3 quarterback Brett Hundley, their fifth-round pick from last year. -- Rob Demovsky
Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck. Andrew Luck. And Andrew Luck. The Colts QB missed nine games this past season because of injuries, but he's expected to be healthy next season. The team also has Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley, who teamed up to lead Indianapolis to a victory in Week 17 over Tennessee, under contract to compete for the backup spot. The Colts passed on RG III in the 2012 draft. They'll do the same now, especially because he likely wants to compete for a starting job. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars aren't in the market for a starting quarterback. Blake Bortles just had the best season by a quarterback in franchise history, breaking records for attempts, completions, yards and passing touchdowns. Backup Chad Henne is a free agent but both sides have expressed an interest in him returning in 2016. -- Michael DiRocco
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins selected quarterback Ryan Tannehill No. 8 overall in the same 2012 draft that RG III went No. 2 to Washington. Four years later, it's actually Tannehill who has the big, $96 million contract extension. Although there is some intrigue to see what rookie head coach and quarterback guru Adam Gase could do with Griffin, the Dolphins do not have much cap room and likely wouldn't want a scenario in which Tannehill is constantly looking over his shoulder. -- James Walker
Minnesota Vikings: Coach Mike Zimmer said the Vikings could be looking for opportunities to add another quarterback to the roster, and backup Shaun Hill will be 36 next season. But Teddy Bridgewater is the starter in Minnesota and unless Griffin wants to be a backup, the Vikings probably wouldn't be the fit for him. -- Ben Goessling
New England Patriots: With Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo signed through 2017, the Patriots feel good about their quarterback situation. Furthermore, Griffin hasn't shown the accuracy and decision-making that would make him an ideal fit in their scheme. -- Mike Reiss
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees turns 37 on Friday, and the Saints eventually will need to find a replacement, so it's not the craziest idea I've ever heard. But the fit doesn't feel right -- on the field or off. It's tough to predict whether Griffin could be a good fit in Sean Payton's offense, which has always featured Brees in the pocket. And locker room chemistry has been a huge priority for the Saints over the past year -- something that was reportedly an issue for Griffin in Washington. -- Mike Triplett
New York Giants: Their starting quarterback, Eli Manning, hasn't missed a game since getting the job midway through his 2004 rookie season and is signed for four more years. Their backup, Ryan Nassib, is a 2013 draft pick who's got one year left on his contract at $788,000 and does everything they want him to do, which is basically run the scout team during the week and stay warm on the sideline on Sunday. You can't completely rule out the idea of the Giants taking a chance on someone with Griffin's talent as a developmental prospect with Manning having just turned 35 and the organization still looking for a head coach. But they don't like carrying three quarterbacks and they don't like a lot of off-field drama and baggage. -- Dan Graziano
New York Jets: They have one former Baylor quarterback on their roster (Bryce Petty). They don't need another. In all seriousness, the Jets don't need to take on a reclamation project. A year ago, it might have made sense, but the emergence of Ryan Fitzpatrick has changed the landscape. They can live with Fitzpatrick for another year or two, which will allow the Jets time to develop Petty or a quarterback they draft in April. -- Rich Cimini
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are no longer a drama-laden franchise, at least when it comes to the roster. Least of all when it comes to the sport's most important position -- quarterback. Oakland is set with Derek Carr, who was a 13-yard completion away from a 4,000-yard passing season and also threw 32 touchdown passes. RG III's drama would add little to a more mature locker room. -- Paul Gutierrez
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have a good five to six years to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger and they'll do so through the draft, not with a player who clearly had issues coalescing with an NFL locker room. The Steelers' offense requires a pure pocket passer who can deliver the football in timing and in rhythm. Griffin might be able to do some of that but doesn't fit that mold as a whole. -- Jeremy Fowler
San Diego Chargers: With Kellen Clemens set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, the Chargers could be in the market for a developmental, backup quarterback. And offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt worked with a mobile quarterback in Marcus Mariota while serving as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. But Griffin is not a scheme fit for San Diego's system, and the Chargers are likely looking for a more experienced backup behind Philip Rivers. -- Eric D. Williams
San Francisco 49ers: With a caveat. This could be medium to high, depending upon the new coach. With Mike Shanahan the purported new clubhouse leader, he might like the prospect of working with RG III again more than he would dealing with a distrusting and disgruntled Colin Kaepernick or Blaine "Gunslinger" Gabbert. Yes, things ended badly in Washington between Shanahan and Griffin, but this could be a chance for redemption. Until then, though, let's keep it low. -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $87.6 million extension this past summer. Quarterback help is the last thing the Seahawks need right now. Tarvaris Jackson is not under contract for 2016 and beyond, but Griffin doesn't make sense as a backup in Seattle. Wilson hasn't missed a game in his NFL career and why would Griffin want to go somewhere where he has no chance to start? -- Sheil Kapadia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs are all-in on Jameis Winston and you can't blame them. He was just the third rookie quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards (Newton and Luck are the others) and the Bucs' offense finished fifth overall in 2015. Griffin wants to be a starter and that's not an option in Tampa. -- Michael DiRocco
Tennessee Titans: We don't know who the coach is. But new GM Jon Robinson is unlikely to want the attention that comes with being RG III's second stop. The Titans are set with Mariota as their quarterback. They need big improvement from Zach Mettenberger or an upgrade at the backup spot. But RG III should find a better landing spot with more of a chance to play, if not this year, in 2017. -- Paul Kuharsky
Washington Redskins: Griffin had 18 months to prove he could run Gruden's offense and failed to show that he could, especially to the Redskins' liking. This was never about one or two plays in the preseason, it was always about what they saw -- or didn't see -- in countless practices and in many hours of meetings. But coaches and teammates praised Griffin for how he handled his demotion; he stayed out of the headlines all season. -- John Keim
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