ARIZONA CARDINALS

Robert Griffin III says he turned down a contract offer from Cardinals

Dec 13, 2017, 9:04 AM | Updated: 12:21 pm

In 2012, Robert Griffin III was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In 2017, the former Heisman winner has yet to appear on an NFL roster, let alone take a snap.

But that doesn’t mean he’s done with football. In fact, Griffin revealed Tuesday on ESPN that he turned down offers from two teams — the Baltimore Ravens and the Arizona Cardinals — before the season.

“I had interest in the offseason, it just wasn’t the right fit,” Griffin told Michael Smith and Jemele Hill on SC 6. “And I had to make that decision for myself. Look, if I don’t accept this offer, there’s a chance I won’t play football this year.”

Griffin wasn’t definitive on when the offer from the Cardinals came in, but he did indicate it was after they signed free agent Blaine Gabbert, who inked a one-year deal May 10.

The 27-year-old then offered an explanation on why Arizona wasn’t the right situation.

“In Arizona, the reason it wasn’t a good fit was because Carson (Palmer) was there,” he said. “I was willing to come in and work behind an experienced veteran quarterback who’s done a lot of great things. They had the backup in Stanton and they had also brought in Blaine Gabbert.

“Nobody lets four quarterbacks get practice time. That was the issue. It wasn’t the coach. The coach is a great coach. He’s a quarterback whisperer and I wanted to go there and learn from him. And it’s a stable franchise so that was all great. It just wasn’t the right decision for me and I had to make that decision and try to make the smart, educated decision.”

Griffin says he’s ready to go now if any contending team needs a quarterback.

In four seasons with Washington and Cleveland, Griffin has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 8,983 yards and 42 touchdowns against 26 interceptions. He has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs. In his rookie season, Griffin ran for 815 yards and seven touchdowns for the Redskins.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Robert Griffin III says he turned down a contract offer from Cardinals