Cleveland Browns sign Robert Griffin III to two-year deal

The Cleveland Browns have another quarterback on the roster after signing Robert Griffin III.

It has been speculated for days and on Thursday it became official as the Cleveland Browns agreed to a reported two-year deal with free-agent quarterback Robert Griffin III.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and help build something here in Cleveland,” Griffin said in a team statement. “Coach Hue and Pep, I had a great meeting with them. I really believe in what they preach and how they can help not only me as a player but this team win games and that’s what we’re all about.”

“Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life, so I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team.” – Robert Griffin III

Before the 2012 NFL Draft the Browns offered the Los Angeles Rams three first-round picks and a second-round pick to move up to No. 2 in the draft and select Griffin. The Rams ultimately worked out a deal with the Washington Redskins, who then selected Griffin.

Griffin led the Redskins to a 10-6 record and a Wild Card playoff berth his rookie year, but suffered a torn ACL in the team’s playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, Griffin has only made 20 starts in the last three seasons, and did not see the field in 2015 as the Redskins made him inactive for 15 of the team’s 16 games.

The Browns are ready to overlook that in the hope that Griffin can return to his rookie form.

“Robert possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position,” executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said in a team statement. “He has played at a high level in this league and is intent on doing everything in his power to return to that level on a consistent basis. After meeting with him, having him work out for us and doing our diligent research, we felt it was right to grant him an opportunity with our organization. We were able to see and feel his passion and commitment to re-establishing himself as a starting quarterback in this league and his embrace of the hard work that will be is essential to his development.”

Signing Griffin may signal that Cleveland’s starter from last season, Josh McCown, will hit the trade block. The New York Jets have already been linked to McCown as they are also going through a quarterback search.

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Griffin’s arrival could also change the Browns plans when it comes to drafting a quarterback next month with the second overall pick. Should the team still decide to go with quarterbacks Carson Wentz or Jared Goff at No. 2, Griffin would seemingly be OK with being in a situation where he is on the roster with a high draft pick at the quarterback position.

It is now being reported that Griffin will be the week one starter “If everything goes to plan.”

Hue Jackson was said to be a driving force behind getting this deal done, the Browns first major signing of free agency.

“We are looking forward to working with Robert, as well as the rest of the quarterbacks on our roster,” Jackson said on the team’s website. “We have a lot of work to do to prepare to be the best QB room in the NFL and we look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

During his first two seasons in Washington, Griffin passed for more than 6,400 yards while throwing 36 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions. But in the past two years, Griffin appeared in just seven games and threw for just 1,694 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.