Jay Gurden is simply saying what everyone has been thinking. The Washington Redskins sold the farm to acquire Robert Griffin III in the NFL Draft and so far that has yet to pay off. Entering a crucial season, Gruden is aware changes might have to be made. Alongside Griffin, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy return to the rotation, but if everyone puts forth a performance like last season, Gruden will hit the reset button.
Gruden told the media during the NFL Annual Meeting that Griffin will be the starter entering training camp in 2015, but nothing is guaranteed as everyone needs to improve in order to keep their roster spot. He admits that the coaching staff and front office officials have discussed looking at quarterbacks in the draft as a backup plan.
"It's something we have to talk about in-house," Gruden said, via CSN Washington. "If we think it's worth the risk to hit the reset button, if he's that good of a football player, if we decide in the building that he's that good of a football player that we think we should do that, then we should do that."
Griffin is entering the final year of his rookie contract and so far there have been no reports that an extension has been discussed. According to CSN Washington, the team is uncertain whether or not to pick up a very expensive fifth-year option worth $16 million or let Griffin have 2015 as an audition and wait until next offseason before considering a new deal. It is clear the team is not ready to give a long-term commitment to Griffin, the question is whether they make a move about this year or next.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Redskins are ready to make moves in the NFL Draft. That will either come as a trade up for Marcus Mariota or selling the No. 5 pick and potentially getting a quarterback like Bryce Petty or Garrett Grayson who might better fit Gruden's offensive style. Gruden remains hopeful that Griffin takes hold of the competition idea and uses it to improve and be the quarterback Washington expects, but there are no guarantees.
