It is no secret that Robert Griffin III is preparing to enter the final year of his rookie contract and the Washington Redskins are torn on just how to handle the situation. Outside of a solid first year, Griffin has done very little to convince people he is a franchise quarterback which is causing the debate over his contract status. The draft could dictate his future.
According to the Washington Post, the draft will determine whether or not Griffin gets his option picked up. Team sources are reporting that if the Redskins do not get either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota at the No. 5 spot, they might feel they have no choice but to extend Griffin's deal another year. There are some mock drafts that believe Mariota could still be around for Washington as teams like the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders favor wide receivers over quarterbacks.
Washington has held pre-draft visits with both Winston and Mariota, but CSN Washington reports the team will not trade up for either player. After wagering drafts on Griffin, Washington is not interested in potentially making the same mistake twice. Instead, they will hope someone falls into their lap in the first round. The Redskins have eyed late-round options like Bryce Petty and Garrett Grayson. It is unclear if acquiring either of those quarterbacks would factor into Griffin's contract status.
Griffin is very aware the Redskins are uncertain whether or not to extend his deal. The quarterback is approaching the season like an audition after head coach Jay Gruden named him the starting entering the 2015 season. Griffin told the media he is not focusing on what happens with his contract.
"I wouldn't be bummed," Griffin said, via NFL.com. "Either way, we're going out there to prove it this upcoming year -- not next year. I just want to win. I want to win games and have fun doing it. The rest will take care of itself. They can pick up the option -- or they can decide not to pick up the option. It'll work out either way. I'm focused on this year."
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, if the Redskins do not draft a quarterback, they could be in the market for a wide receiver as players like Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker have worked out for the team. A star in the secondary is also an option if Mariota and Winston are gone.
