Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

RG3 Doesn’t Know If Cleveland Browns Will Bring Him Back In 2017

By Nick Dudukovich

Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles against pressure by Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Dan McCullers-Sanders (93) in overtime at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles against pressure by Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Dan McCullers-Sanders (93) in overtime at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Some fans think Hue Jackson wants Robert Griffin III quarterbacking the Cleveland Browns in 2017, but not even RG3 knows if the Browns will bring him back.

While many thought Hue Jackson bent over backwards the last four weeks to sell the front office and the fan base on brining Robert Griffin III back, RG3 isn’t sure what his future holds–and it’s not up to him.

The Browns have the option to bring Robert Griffin III back next season, although it would cost them around $7 million.

“Griffin, who has a year left on his Cleveland contract, admitted he doesn’t know his future with the team but wants to come back to ‘be a part of the growth’ of the youngest team in the NFL,” wrote ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi.

Griffin got hurt in the first game of the year, and missed 12 straight weeks of action with a shoulder injury. He took back the starting job when he was cleared to play against Cincinnati in Week 14.

Clearly, Griffin had rust early in his late-season comeback, but the NFL is a no excuse league. Griffin’s stats are bad. Yes, he led the Browns to victory on Christmas Eve, but he got outplayed by career backup Landry Jones to close out the season.

Griffin said after the game that his broken shoulder never fully healed, but he played the final quarter of the season because he “owed it to my team and myself.”

Sounds to me like Griffin knew he needed to play because he had to show the rest of the league something, should Cleveland part ways with him this offseason. Griffin didn’t have a ton of options  before signing with the Browns, and if Cleveland lets him go, he’ll probably have even fewer choices, so you can understand why he was quick throw in an excuse.

As the Browns head into the offseason, Cody Kessler probably has the safest job in Berea. Josh McCown‘s contract is up and a decision needs to be made on Griffin.

Additionally, by failing to take one of the top quarterbacks in the 2016 NFL Draft, the front office has no choice but to pull the trigger on someone coming out this year.

If the Browns want to bring Griffin back as a back up at $7 million, fine. They certainly have the cap space.

But the experiment is over. Mike Shanahan was correct in his assessment that Griffin can’t win from the pocket. From the five games I saw RG3 play, the former Super Bowl winning coach hit it right on the bullseye.

Next: Which Picks Do The Browns Own In The 2017 Draft?

In his five games, Griffin threw for two touchdowns (all of them in the season finale) against four interceptions. He added 190 yards and two scores with his legs, but fumbled four times! He completed 59.2 percent of his passes and posted a 72.5 quarterback rating. His record was 1-4.

Home/Cleveland Browns