NFL Trade Rumors: Robert Griffin III on Trading Block?

By Cheri Cheng - 01 Sep '15 09:40AM

Robert Griffin III's future in the NFL as a starting quarterback is becoming more and more uncertain. The Washington Redskins recently announced that instead of going with their franchise player, they have decided that Kirk Cousins will be the No. 1 quarterback at the start of the season. After the announcement was made, there have been several rumors claiming that the Redskins are looking to trade RGIII.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini reported that the team's front-office officials and coaches want to trade Griffin and move on with their team. Team and league sources reported, however, that team ownership is still resisting the idea of a trade. If Griffin gets traded, which might be a hard feat to accomplish since he is not drawing much interest from other teams, here are two teams he could go to:

1. New York Jets

The Jets have yet to find a reliable starting quarterback to lead the team. The franchise's player, Geno Smith, has been sidelined with a broken jaw due to a dispute with former player IK Enemkpali. Without Smith, who has been inconsistent, the Jets really do not have a long-term option.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are currently in the market for a back up quarterback and their current option is veteran Michael Vick. If the Steelers decide that they like Griffin more than Vick, they could be tempted to trade for Griffin, who would then back up Ben Roethlisberger.

A trade, however, is very unlikely due to Griffin's contract. Schefter and Russini explained how the contract, which includes a $16.1 million guarantee for injury only in 2016, can discourage other teams.

They wrote:

"If Washington plays Griffin this season -- and the NFL still has not cleared him to return to action from a recent concussion -- and he gets injured again, the Redskins cannot cut him until he's cleared to play again. In addition, should Griffin suffer an injury that extends into the 2016 season, his $16.1 million salary for next season is guaranteed. That could also scare off some teams interested in trading for Griffin."

If Griffin stays put and Cousins handles the pressures of being a starting quarterback well, Griffin might not get this starting position back at all.