Robert Griffin III has asked the Cleveland Browns for another chance to replace Deshaun Watson.
Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, the Browns announced on Wednesday, November 15. The Browns’ $230 million quarterback broke a bone in his shoulder and will not play again until 2024.
Watson is out, but the Browns, who are 6-3, still have playoff and Super Bowl hopes. Griffin believes he can help Cleveland win and wants to be the starting quarterback for his former team.
“The Browns should start me at quarterback,” Griffin said on his podcast recently. “For starters, at 33 years old, I know the game better than I ever have in my entire career.” I know when to slide and how to slide. During my eight years in the NFL, this was a major issue. But I’ve learned my lesson. I’ve learned from my mistakes and am now ready to show that I can get the job done.”
Griffin spent a brief time in Cleveland during the 2016 season. In four starts, he went 1-4, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Robert Griffin claims he can be the Browns’ game manager.
Griffin hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2020, when he was the Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback to Lamar Jackson. He currently works as an analyst for ESPN, but he maintains elite athletic ability. He can still run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and throw the ball 80 yards, according to the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Watson was outstanding against the Ravens, going 14-of-14 in the second half despite an injured shoulder and a high ankle sprain. Griffin was unimpressed with the performance and believes he could perform similarly.
“Of those 14 passes, there weren’t really any of them that you would say were $230 million worthy passes,” he said. “All they needed him to do was manage the game because those dogs, starting with Myles Garrett, got over there on defense.”
“And guess what? That is something I am capable of! I can go out there and manage a game for the Cleveland Browns and help them go on their desired Super Bowl run.”
The Browns intend to add another quarterback to the mix.
With Watson out, the Browns intend to go with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The young quarterback will have a chance to right the ship after a rocky debut in which he threw three interceptions against the Ravens.
Thompson-Robinson isn’t just auditioning for a temporary job if he can iron out some rookie wrinkles and show some grit; he could help ease the front office’s search for a veteran QB fix.
Following Watson’s injury, Browns general manager Andrew Berry spoke to the media and stated that the team will add a third quarterback at some point.
“As with any part of the roster, we’re always open to anything that helps improve the team,” Berry said on November 15th. “We believe in carrying three quarterbacks between the active and practice squads, and how that distribution looks depends on the player.” So, the one thing I will say is that we will be adding a quarterback in the near future. What that will look like is still up in the air.”
Names like Griffin, Cam Newton, and even Tom Brady pique our interest. However, the Browns are more likely to sign a player who can sit on the practice squad and serve as a backup if Thompson-Robinson or backup PJ Walker are injured.
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