It feels like so long ago that Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Since that very successful 2012 season, Griffin and the Redskins have been highlighted with drama, heartbreaking losses, disagreements with coaches, and constant controversy. Even Griffin's father has chimed in at times against Redskins management, blaming former head coach Mike Shanahan for Griffin's struggles. Shanahan has since been fired.

Last year, Griffin had a terrible season marked with an early dislocated left ankle. When the former Heisman trophy winner returned, he was eventually benched by head coach Jay Gruden on Nov. 25 for Colt McCoy. On Tuesday, the Redskins re-signed McCoy to a one-year deal. 

As for Griffin, next season is the final year of his rookie contract. The Redskins have surrounded him with above average talent in a terrible NFC East division, but they may decide not to re-sign Griffin. The constant controversy and quarterback swapping just isn't good for any locker room, and the Redskins have gone 7-25 over the last two seasons. It's not all Griffin's fault, but the best dependably is sometimes availability, and Griffin has torn his ACL, MCL and missed 13 starts over the last three seasons.

On the other side, Griffin may not even want to stay with the Redskins. The nation's capital hasn't exactly been a quarterback factory in the 21st century. Theismann and Mark Rypien aren't walking through those doors anytime soon. As a franchise, the Redskins have just one playoff victory since 1999. Griffin may prefer to leave the team as a free agent and test the market instead of re-signing with the Redskins.

Gruden doesn't exactly appear to be the biggest Griffin fan, and the two have had their clashes, despite the fact that they've only been together for one season.

According to multiple reports, the Redskins are interested in Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota, one of the best college players set to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, and the Redskins have the No. 5 overall selection. Although Mariota has yet to play a down in the NFL, the Redskins need some insurance. If Griffin does decide to leave as a free agent, the Redskins need a quality quarterback to fall back on. Mariota definitely won't be named (unless an injury) the starter over Griffin if the Redskins do pick him, but a year of sitting on the bench and learning could be beneficial.

Mariota may not be the ideal first round pocket passing quarterback having thrived in the spread option college offense, but again, you have to have a backup plan.

So much of Griffin's future depends on his performance next season. If he shows signs of his rookie season (20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions), he could get a very large contract, possibly elsewhere. If Griffin repeats what we've seen the last two seasons, the Redskins would look wise in drafting Mariota because Griffin most likely won't be with the team in 2016.

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