Getty Robert Griffin III during Ravens training camp.
The Baltimore Ravens are setting their sights on the 2021 offseason, and have wasted little time making some big moves to help kick-start the period.
Just a few days after their AFC Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens have waived quarterback Robert Griffin III. Griffin had been the backup signal-caller since 2018, and has been a solid mentor to 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson. At this point, however, it’s clear Baltimore wants to go with youth in their quarterback room for the foreseeable future.
Griffin was the biggest name to be waived by the team on Monday, but others stuck around on reserve/future deals, including undrafted rookie quarterback Tyler Huntley and wideouts De’Anthony Harris and Jaylon Moore. While those contracts won’t officially take effect until the start of the new league year on March 17, it’s clear Baltimore is comfortable enough with Jackson’s development to see what other talent they can harvest behind him.
Trace McSorley Likely Made Waiving Griffin Easier
Griffin’s most recent action came when called upon to play in a critical midseason game against the 11-0 Steelers in Week 12 that had been postponed and moved multiple times due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The 30-year-old kept Baltimore hanging around in the game before getting injured and giving way to then-third-stringer Trace McSorley.
Despite a 70-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown in the second half, McSorley and company came up just short of pulling off the upset. Two weeks later, the 2019 sixth-rounder also came on in relief for 11 snaps to help push the Ravens to a crucial 47-42 late-season win in Cleveland.
Last weekend, Baltimore also got a closer look at Huntley, who made some nice throws after being forced into action after Jackson’s scary-looking concussion during Sunday’s playoff loss. It’s clear that the team likes what they’ve seen from some of their younger options, which makes waiving Griffin easier if they believe they have a capable No. 2 in McSorley and a developmental No. 3 in Huntley.
RG3 Helped Redefine QB Position, Career in Recent Years
Since entering the league as the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2012, Griffin has long been a player who helped redefine the quarterback position for newcomers like Jackson, given his athleticism and speed, ability to move the pocket and extend plays down the field. Through seven seasons, he has accumulated 9,271 passing yards and 43 touchdowns to go along with 1,809 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.
Griffin started his career in Washington where he was a starter before injuries derailed his career a bit. The former Baylor star then went to Cleveland for a season in 2016 before latching on in Baltimore and serving as a backup there. Clearly, the mentorship role has been one that has served him well.
As expected, Griffin was classy to the end, taking to Twitter on Monday to thank the Ravens for what they have done for him.
As year 8 comes to a close, I just want to say thank you to my teammates, the fans, & @Ravens organization. This season was a trying one with a lot of adversity & there were no better people for the job. Honored to be a part of the brotherhood with yal. The best is yet to come.
Griffin was a special player in terms of his veteran leadership and presence with the Ravens, and it will be interesting to see if he catches on anywhere else once free agency opens up in mid-March.
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