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McCloughan on @RGIII: "He's a good football player." Says team decided to pick up option a while back, and announce today.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 27, 2015
BREAKING: #Redskins exercise fifth-year option on QB @RGIII, GM Scot McCloughan says. MORE | http://t.co/hzldLTDCcL pic.twitter.com/j5PGpDtbwJ
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 27, 2015
The Washington Redskins have picked up the fifth-year option for quarterback Robert Griffin III, officially keeping him with the team through the 2016 season, general manager Scot McCloughan announced today.
Griffin III, 25, was the Redskins' first round (second-overall) pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and made an immediate impact his first season in the burgundy and gold, capturing the AP's Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading the team to its first NFC East title since 1999.
What happens if he gets hurt?
This is the risk that the Redskins must consider. Some say it's a small one; perhaps for other players it is but not for Griffin, which is why some say it should not be picked up. He's already endured two ACL surgeries in his career (one at Baylor, one after his rookie year) and the ankle injury last season.
But the key is that the player must be able to pass the season-ending physical. If Griffin were to get hurt and fail the physical then, multiple sources say, the Redskins would be on the hook for the contract in 2016. If, for example, there's a repeat of 2012 where Griffin suffers a torn ACL late in the year then he would be unable to pass the physical. At that point the contract (and cap hit) become guaranteed.
#Redskins will not officially file paperwork on RGIII option until Monday. Leaves door cracked open for draft day move.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) April 27, 2015