The Baltimore Ravens have signed veteran quarterback Robert Griffin III to a one-year deal.
The Baltimore Ravens opened up their pre-draft press conference with some breaking news.
General manager Ozzie Newsome announced the team has agreed to terms with Robert Griffin III on a one-year deal. The former Heisman trophy is officially back in NFL after sitting out the entire 2017 season.
We have agreed to a one-year deal with QB Robert Griffin.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 4, 2018
It’s been a far fall from grace for Griffin, who hasn’t been the same player since his rookie season. A torn ACL and LCL during the team’s 2013 Wild-Card loss to the Seahawks began a downward spiral. Once the dual-threat ability was taken away, Griffin couldn’t survive solely as a pocket passer. He spent three more seasons with the Redskins as the team slowly integrated Kirk Cousins into the starting role.
Griffin’s release led to a short stint with the Browns, which is what happens to the majority of quarterbacks in Cleveland. He started just five games before spending time on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The inconsistencies led to yet another release and Griffin hasn’t seen the field since in over a year.
This isn’t the first time Ozzie Newsome and the front office have expressed interest in Griffin. The team considered bringing him in for a workout last offseason while pondering the backup quarterback situation during Joe Flacco‘s back injury.
With Josh Woodrum the only other signal-caller currently under contract besides Flacco, the Ravens were in the market for a backup but this isn’t the veteran anyone expected.
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A backup quarterback should provide insurance and Griffin is the last quarterback I can think of in that department.
Nevertheless, this is a low-tier signing that shouldn’t have any barring on the Ravens’ 2018 season unless disaster strikes.