The Washington Redskins are again Team Turmoil, with published reports on Sunday detailing differences between coaches, front-office staff and ownership over the future of quarterback Robert Griffin III.
According to an ESPN report, the coach/front office faction wants the team to cut ties with RG3, the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, who has been beset by injuries since. But owner Daniel Snyder doesn’t want to get rid of his one-time star.
Complicating the situation is the move by the team in April to pick up the option year on Griffin’s contract. The $16.1 million option for 2016 makes Griffin all but impossible to move via trade, limiting the options for the team to keeping him on the roster or outright releasing him.
A release would result in a $6.7 million cap hit in 2015, which the Redskins should be able to absorb.
Griffin wasn’t able to play, due to lingering concerns over a hit he took in Washington’s 21-17 preseason win over Detroit on Aug. 21, in the team’s third preseason game, a 31-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, in which backup Kirk Cousins threw for 190 yards and a touchdown.
Most teams use their third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for their regular-season opener, and there has been rampant speculation that coach Jay Gruden is ready to go with Cousins as his starter for the Sept. 13 opener at home against the Miami Dolphins.
– Story by Chris Graham
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