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Instead of being traded, could Robert Griffin III return as the Washington Redskins quarterback next year? After a season that saw the star NFL QB start the season, get injured, return, get benched and butt heads with new head coach Jay Gruden the entire year, Griffin's play since regaining his starting job after the shoulder injury to back Colt McCoy has people wondering if he could return to DC next season. Heading into this Sunday NFC East showdown with hated rivals Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys, speculation that Griffin won't be traded from Washington, and that Gruden could survive after the year from hell is mounting.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that it wouldn't be a surprise if Robert Griffin III returned to Washington next year.
At this point, don't be surprised to see Robert Griffin III back in DC next year. Salary already guaranteed. Acknowledges he must improve.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2014
Furthermore, reports Rapoport, coach Jay Gruden could also return to the struggling franchise, even with RG3 as his quarterback, simply because he wants to win.
My sense with #Skins coach Jay Gruden: He doesn't care who the QB is. He wants someone to help his offense win. RGIII wants it to be him
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2014
Rapoport says that Washington owner Dan Snyder would prefer not to start over at QB next year, which paves the way for a return for RG3 after a season where he started eight times, with very mixed results. Is he the player from 2012 who won the Rookie of the Year, or the QB who has looked increasingly gun shy up until last week?
With The Washington Post saying that Griffin "was much improved from the gun-shy, indecisive quarterback we saw against Tampa Bay and San Francisco."
The Post's Mark Bullocks says that coach Jay Gruden and the other Washington coaches would like to see Griffin "use his running ability" more, but "only when all other options have been exhausted or if the play breaks down." That, says Bullocks is "exactly what Griffin did against the Eagles."
He goes on to say that Griffin showed that he still has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback.
It's a sentiment shared by former Washington and RG3 coach Mike Shanahan, who, reports CBS Sports's Chris Lingebach, told ESPN's Chris Berman that Griffin's abilities still mean he could be a franchise quarterback as Griffin can be "as good as he wants to be." All it needs, says Shanahan, is for Griffin to spend more time in the film room studying film "like he's never done before."
So, does it mean Griffin will be back in Washington next year? The Washington Post's Jason Reid believes so, and says that Washington have to concentrate on their running game and defense in order for Griffin and Gruden to survive together. "If they stick to the blueprint," from last week's win, says Reid, "it could work."
What do you think? Should RG3 move on or stay? Could Snyder fire Gruden, or is it wiser to stick with the coach? Either way, we'll know more after this Sunday's game against Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.
