NFL Rumors 2015: New York Jets Eyeing Robert Griffin III?
The 2015 NFL Season is just more than a week away and the teams are finalizing their 53-man roster. Washington Redskins' coach Jay Gruden has named Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, as reported by ESPN.
The coaching staff has informed the players about the decision after the announcement according to ESPN sources. Cousins was named starter mainly because Robert Griffin III is out with concussion symptoms and is possibly on the trading block, according to a separate report from ESPN.
One team with a need in the quarterback position are the New York Jets. Their starting quarterback Geno Smith is out for the first four games or longer with a broken jaw as reported by Brian Costello on Twitter. In a report by Bleacher Report that he was "sucker punched" by teammate IK Enemkpali, who was released after the incident.
But NY Daily News reports that the Jets have no interest in acquiring RG3. When asked about Grifin III, Jets Coach Todd Bowles said, "He's in (Washington) and we have our guys right now. That's not my concern."
The concern for the Jets or any team is the risk of a $16-million salary cap hit for next year if RG3 gets injured because of a clause in his contract according to NFL.com. In the same report, the best possible option for the Redskins is to release the player.
RG3 has full of potential but has very injury prone career, including an ACL and PCL tear on his knee in his rookie season. Another possible reason for releasing Griffin III is that he's a possible locker room distraction if he remained as a backup. In the same NFL.com report, the Redskins will take a $6.7 million salary cap hit if they released RG3.
In another report by ESPN, RG3 might not be traded or released by the Redskins. After naming Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback, coach Gruden said, "I have nothing against Robert. I like Robert as a quarterback, no doubt about it. His future is with the Washington Redskins."
He also denied the rumor of Griffin III is on the trading block saying, "There have been no discussions about letting him go or doing any of that stuff. The door is not shut on Robert Griffin."
As for the Jets, they are good with backup Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter while Smith is out. ESPN reports that he has handled his new responsibility and improved every to the point that Smith will remain as a backup after his injury if Fitzpatrick plays very well.
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