Robert Griffin III Trade Rumors: Washington Redskins Reportedly Looking For New Home For Benched Quarterback

Robert Griffin III went from No. 2 overall draft pick to benched within three years, and now trade rumors are starting to swirl surrounding the man once considered to be the franchise quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins traded four high draft picks to the St. Louis Rams in order to draft Griffin in 2011, and RG3 responded by leading the Redskins to the playoffs and beating fellow quarterback Andrew Luck for Rookie of the Year. But the former Baylor quarterback has failed to recover from a torn ACL and has regressed in the last three seasons, leading to word this week that he was being benched in favor of Colt McCoy.

“This move represents yet another turn for Griffin and the Redskins,” wrote ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who broke news that Robert Griffin III was benched this week.

“As a rookie he threw for 3,200 yards and rushed for 815 as the Redskins won their first NFC East title since 1999.”

Now trade rumors have started to surface surrounding RG3, with some suggesting that the Redskins are aiming to shop their quarterback on the open market to see what kind of return they would get. Sources say they believe he will only fetch a mid-round draft pick, with his stock falling very low due to his inconsistency over the last three seasons.

Bill Barnwell of Grandland broke down the most likely trade destinations for Robert Griffin III, pinpointing the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills as possible landing points.

But Barnwell believes the most likely destination for Griffin could be a somewhat ironic one — the St. Louis Rams.

After receiving three first-round draft picks in exchange for Griffin, Barnwell believes the Rams could land Griffin back for a greatly reduced price.

“And yet, the best fit might very well be the team that traded away the chance to acquire Griffin in the first place. The Rams have recouped a bounty for their decision to trade away the second overall pick three years ago, but the one thing they failed to come away with as part of that deal is a viable starting quarterback. Sam Bradford’s injuries should force him out of town this offseason, and while the Rams appeared to have stumbled onto a starter with Austin Davis, the franchise soured on him quickly enough to run back to veteran retread Shaun Hill two weeks ago.”

But Barnwell ultimately said he believes the Robert Griffin III trade rumors won’t pan out, and that after spending so much to land him in the first place the Washington Redskins will hold onto their quarterback for 2015.