Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III took a final lap late in yesterday’s game, hugging sideline staffers in what looked like a goodbye.
The team would be foolish to keep him around at his $16.2 million option price for next year and with him having no reason to restructure it to help them after losing his job to Kirk Cousins, it was almost certainly his final act in D.C.
“We all know one thing about this game: Things change fast,” former Washington running back Clinton Portis said, via Jason Reid of ESPN.com. “Robert did great things for the franchise and the city in 2012. But it’s Kirk’s team now. That’s just the way it is.”
Griffin didn’t talk to reporters afterward — which isn’t unusual for the inactive third quarterback — but those around him insist he’s ready for another chance.
While 2012 was a long time ago, memories of how good he was then linger. Twenty touchdowns, only five interceptions, and 815 rushing yards made it an incredible season, before injuries and other things derailed him.
He turns 26 in February, and it didn’t take a long look at who was starting around the league late in the season to realize it’s worth giving him a shot.
“He’s going to get a second chance and he should get one,” former wide receiver Santana Moss said. “One thing this league has shown, numerous times, is that guys will get second chances. Whether you messed up off the field or you just weren’t what the coaches wanted, you can get your career going again. That’s proven.
“That first year, man, Robert was a rock star. Then different things happened. But he can take all those things, learn from them and get better. If Robert is like any of the best people in the history of this game, then he’ll use it all as motivation. But you look at a lot of these quarterbacks out there, and you mean to tell me Robert ain’t gonna get another chance?”
The only thing that’s certain is it ain’t gonna be in Washington.