After a terrific rookie season, it didn’t take long for Robert Griffin III to achieve cult hero status in Washington. However, RGIII proved to be a flash in the pan for the franchise, though they had a chance to get rid of him at his best but didn’t, claims an NFL insider.
After winning over the fan base during his rookie season, he had the world at his feet. However, then-head coach Mike Shanahan seemed to realize that Griffin would not be able to replicate the success of his ROTY season, according to NFL insider Michael Silver.
Mike Shanahan Wanted to Move Robert Griffin III After His Rookie Year
Back in 2012, Washington was in dire need of a franchise quarterback. They zeroed in on Griffin and then traded up to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft so they could select him. Washington traded their first-round picks in 2012 (No. 6 overall), 2013 (No. 22 overall), and 2014 (No. 2 overall) along with their second-round pick in 2012 (No. 39 overall) to the Rams, and then proceeded to draft Griffin.
That same year, they also drafted quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth round to back up Griffin. Griffin put together a brilliant rookie season, throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five interceptions while also rushing for 815 yards and seven touchdowns. However, Shanahan wanted him gone.
During Silver’s appearance on the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” he revealed that Shanahan practically begged Washington’s then-owner Dan Snyder to offload RG3.
“Mike Shanahan tells Dan Snyder, ‘We need to trade him. The rest of the leagues hasn’t figured it out yet, but I’m telling you: he’s not as good as you think. We’ve got Kirk Cousins. We could get those three [first-round picks] back maybe, before people figure it out,'” Silver revealed.
“It would have been a radical move, but Dan Snyder absolutely rejected the notion. But that’s kind of where Mike Shanahan was at the time.”
“I’m telling you he is not as good as you think we need to trade him before people find out…”
Mike Shanahan begged Daniel Snyder to trade RG3 the offseason after he was Rookie of the Year in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/IsjZrKg8s7
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) October 8, 2024
Snyder did not agree with Shanahan’s assessment of Griffin. After a poor performance in the 2013 season, Snyder fired Shanahan one day after the regular season ended.
RGIII’s Time With Washington After His ROTY Season
After becoming the best offensive rookie in the league, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner could not match the standards set by him.
After Shanahan’s exit following the 2013 season, he was replaced by Jay Gruden. However, Griffin’s 2014 season was marred by injuries, though he did showcase his skills on several occasions.
People forget that pre-injury Robert Griffin III was terrifying to play against. Absolute stud. pic.twitter.com/Jlx0WNOrJh
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) January 19, 2024
However, in 2015, Griffin suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions and left the game. Even once he was declared healthy, he lost his place to Cousins and did not play a single snap.
Griffin was released in 2016 and joined the Cleveland Browns for one season and then suited up for the Baltimore Ravens for three seasons. He hung his cleats after being waived by the Ravens in 2021.
He would never top his rookie season. The closest he came was as a sophomore when he threw for 3,203 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while rushing for 489 yards and zero scores.
He finished his seven-year NFL career with 9,271 passing yards, 43 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 1,809 rushing yards, and 10 rushing scores.