Robert Griffin III is entering a pivotal year in 2015, not just for the Washington Redskins but also for his NFL career in general.
The former second-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft raced out to an electrifyingly effective rookie season before crashing back to earth and becoming the fear-filled check down machine Washington fans were forced to watch bumble his way through the end of last season.
It really wasn't much of a vote of confidence when the Redskins picked up the 2016 option year on his contract - the money is only guaranteed for injury and Griffin can be jettisoned if he falters again this coming season - or when Skins head coach Jay Gruden named RGIII the starter for 2015 in February.
"We'll go into the season with Robert as the number one guy obviously, and it's up to Robert to continue to grow and mature as a quarterback and a person and moving forward. We just want to see some improvement. That's up to us as a staff to get more out of him," Gruden said at the time, via The Washington Post.
It seems a lot of posturing on the part of Gruden and new Washington GM Scot McCloughan aimed at showing as much confidence in RGIII as possible and, hopefully, propping up his own sagging sense of self.
Unfortunately for Griffin, it seems the actions of the Redskins brass likely have more to do with the limited options available to them otherwise - Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins - than they do with their actual belief in his long-term potential.
Still, it means that 2015 is Griffin's make-or-break year - it's his final opportunity to make the Redskins not just have to keep him around, but want to keep him around.
In a way, it's good for Griffin.
"So long as he is healthy, Griffin will have a longer leash than you think, with the franchise knowing this is the year that decides his future with Washington," writes Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.
Griffin has his opportunity - yes, there's pressure and yes it will be difficult to reverse his and Washington's recently flagging fortunes - but it's his team and his show for at least one more year.
Should he fall short of expectations again though, he may never see the light of 2016 as a member of the NFL's D.C.-based franchise.
"So ... yeah ... if Griffin fails again, you can go ahead and earmark this franchise for a first-round quarterback selection in the 2016 draft," writes Robinson.
"For now it's Griffin's job to lose this preseason. But to rule out another spectacular disaster and benching would be foolish. Even with so little to turn to on the depth chart."
Griffin surely recognizes the opportunity ahead of him - whether or not he can take advantage of it will determine much about the future of the Redskins organization.
