Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won’t officially become Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III until he signs a contract. And while Griffin has said he hopes to get it done by Monday, the two sides still have to do some work.
The two sides continue to grapple over the presence of offset language in the four-year deal, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
For weeks, the players taken with the top eight selections have held out for fully-guaranteed four-year contracts, undiminished by any money earned with other teams, if the players are cut at some point during their first four seasons in the league. The teams want any unpaid wages to be offset by compensation received by the players elsewhere in the NFL, in the event they are released.
The ninth player taken in the 2012 draft — Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly — received a fully-guaranteed contract containing no offset language. Kuechly is represented by CAA, as is Griffin and three of the other players taken with the first eight picks.
For the Redskins, who gave up a total of three first-round picks and a second-round pick to move from No. 6 to No. 2 to get Griffin, fully guaranteeing his contract without offset language represents a small price to pay to close the deal. Especially since it’s highly unlikely that the Redskins would pull the plug on Griffin’s contract at any point in the next four seasons.
Until that issue is resolved, Griffin’s career won’t officially begin. Thus, at some point, someone will have to blink.