2016 Cleveland Browns roster analysis: Quarterbacks

Robert Griffin III

Age: 26

Experience: 5 years

Contract Status: Free Agent in 2018

The former Heisman trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft signed with the team this past offseason to a two-year, $15 million deal. Hue Jackson hand-picked Griffin to be his starter in his first season coaching the Browns.

Griffin entered the season coming off a 2015 season in which he was inactive for the entire year and did not play for the Redskins. Coach Jackson took it upon himself to resurrect the former NFL Rookie of the Year. With the signing of Griffin the team held off on drafting a quarterback in the two rounds before selecting Cody Kessler in the third round.

Jackson made it clear early in the summer that Griffin was going to be his quarterback, though not officially stating it. Griffin received all the reps with the first team unit in training camp and preseason. Jackson was confident that he could regain his success from early on in his career and find a home in Cleveland.

In his first season starting since 2014, he was supposed to have a full 16 games to audition himself as the quarterback of the future. However, in Week 1 Griffin fractured a bone in his left shoulder landing him on IR.

Hue Jackson’s offseason plan of developing Griffin around a core of solid young offensive playmakers was halted. Griffin returned in Week 14 to start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He would start the final four games of the season. In only five starts it was hard to accurately evaluate Griffin. But one thing is for certain, which is that he is injury prone and can’t be relied on to be healthy for a full 16-game schedule.

Once returning from injury, Griffin looked rusty and unimpressive. However, he did improve over the course of the last four games. Griffin flashed the athletic ability to extend plays and run for first downs with his legs. In the passing game, Griffin lacked pocket awareness and held on to the ball too long, taking sacks. He also stared down receivers and often forced the ball to his primary read whether they were covered or not.

Ultimately, Griffin’s lack of playing time showed and he did not make strong impression. The positive for Griffin is that he battled back from injuries and did look more comfortable as his starts went on. Teammates and coaches have raved about his work ethic and leadership and it would be no surprise to see Griffin competing with a new quarterback this offseason for the starting job.

CMP  ATT  CMP%  YDS  TD  INT

87    147   59.2     886    2     3

2017 Outlook: 

Coach Jackson was a true believer in fixing Griffin as a NFL quarterback and  he will likely be on the roster for the final year of his contract. However, the front office now knows they must search for a franchise quarterback this offseason and look at Robert Griffin III solely as a backup option.