As the world turns on the soap opera that has become the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback situation, one name in particular is starting to really stir the pot. Soon-to-be free agent Robert Griffin III was tied to the Eagles by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, and it’s quickly becoming a sub-storyline to the ongoing Sam Bradford debate.
The prevailing thought seems to be that Griffin would be an option if the Eagles decide to let Bradford walk and test the market, but in reality both of their possible futures in Philadelphia are directly tied to each other. If Griffin is happening for the Eagles, it’s only if Bradford is here as well.
I think that’s the way it’ll be in terms of opportunity. On the one hand, you have Griffin, a guy who flashed brilliance before being criminally mishandled in Washington. Before his knee got mangled, Griffin took his team to the playoffs, so it’s not as if he can’t succeed. He just hasn’t done it in the traditional way, from the pocket. He’s still got upside to tap into, and with teams desperately seeking quarterback talent, I don’t think Griffin will have a hard time finding a job in free agency. The Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans could really use a shot of talent under center.
Then you have Bradford, a guy who’s been in the league longer than Griffin, injured more than Griffin and has had negotiably comparable success. League-wide the consensus on Bradford can’t be all that hot, especially now that he’s had underwhelming success with two different franchises. I have to think that teams would be more willing to gamble on Griffin’s upside than they would on Bradford’s.
I guess what I’m really saying is that Griffin could get himself a starting job next year, and I imagine that’s exactly what he wants. If he comes to Philadelphia, it’ll have to be because he thinks he can start here and he likes what he sees. If the Eagles are planning on drafting a quarterback at No. 13 in the draft, or pulling a crazy move for a long-term starter, Griffin’s not coming. He’ll be cemented as a backup and that’s not what he wants.
But if the Eagles are going to roll with Bradford, it won’t be an ironclad commitment. It’ll be a year-to-year one and Bradford’s starting job will be very fluid. Fluid enough that Griffin could see an opportunity to beat him out. That puts the Eagles in the conversation with the Rams and Texans, and the Eagles might have a shot to sell him on life in Philadelphia.
Otherwise, forget it. Anything more than Bradford on a year-to-year deal in Philadelphia with no threat of a franchise quarterback draft pick is keeping Griffin out of here. Anything less than that, and I think he becomes a real option.
