Robert Griffin III’s injured shoulder has already forced the Cleveland Browns to change gears at quarterback, but there are reportedly some within the organization that believe the ripple effects of the injury can be viewed in a positive light.
In other words, losing Griffin III for most of 2016 could force the Browns to once again think long-term at quarterback.
“Yet there are those in the Browns’ building who think Griffin’s injury could turn out to be a good thing for the franchise, because coach Hue Jackson was so focused on righting Griffin,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote Thursday. “The team now can move on and do what it needs.”
Griffin III became the franchise’s 25th different starting quarterback since 1999 in Week 1, when he completed 12-of-26 passes for 190 yards and an interception during Cleveland’s 29-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The former No. 2 overall pick hurt his shoulder late in the game and is now expected to miss 10-12 weeks, according to Schefter.
The Browns will start veteran Josh McCown in Week 2. In the process, Cleveland will become the first team in NFL history to start at least two different quarterbacks in 15 straight seasons.
No franchise needs a stable, long-term option at quarterback more than the Browns.
Unless Hue Jackson truly thinks RG3 is salvageable (or believes in rookie Cody Kessler as the future), the Browns will be back in the market at the quarterback this offseason. Griffin’s injury only adds to the pressure, as the Browns may only have a handful of regular season appearances to make a judgement on him moving forward.
Obviously, no team is cheering for an injury to their starting quarterback. But the Browns do need to establish a future at the position, and another serious injury to RG3 should drive home the point that next spring’s top pick should be spent on a quarterback.
Cleveland’s annual tradition of getting to know the top college quarterbacks can already begin.
