Sooner or later (read: sooner), the Washington Redskins are going to part ways with quarterback Robert Griffin III. It's only a matter of time following coach Jay Gruden's announcement that Kirk Cousins is the team's starter. In typical Redskins fashion, what once began with abounding hope and optimism is now ending in crushing disappointment and regret.
But since new Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan exercised the fifth-year, $16.1 million option on Griffin's contract earlier this offseason, a trade seems very unlikely. No team is going to want to take a risk on the oft-injured quarterback at that price tag. That means that an outright release is the most likely conclusion to this scenario. That would enable Griffin to become a free agent and choose his next team out of his potential suitors.
The top suitor in such a situation may be the Seattle Seahawks. The next team on the list: Arizona Cardinals.
"Arizona would be number two," Peter King of MMQB.com wrote. "Bruce Arians likes Drew Stanton, I sense, but would be open to adding a third quarterback who might have to play and win games for a playoff contender, given Carson Palmer's penchant for missing games. Palmer is 35 now, and the Cards could use on more insurance policy. Plus, Griffin has the kind of deep arm Arians would love."
Palmer is coming off a second torn ACL and has missed at least one game in three of his last four seasons. Stanton, meanwhile, appeared in nine games for the Cardinals last year and completed just 55 percent of his passes while averaging 190 passing yards per game and throwing seven touchdowns against five interceptions. RGIII may be damaged goods, but his upside far exceeds that of Stanton's.
Griffin is still just 25-years-old and only three short years removed from a sensational Offensive Rookie of the Year season. It would be short sided to assume he can never again be a productive player. Under the right circumstances, Griffin could contribute to a winner.
What better circumstances than a playoff contender that won't ask him to start?
