RG3 reacts to being benched

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won't play the remainder of this season.

Coach Mike Shanahan decided to shut Griffin down based on his performance after returning from ACL surgery this offseason. Griffin has been nowhere nearly as effective as he was as a rookie in 2012, which has contributed to a paltry season in Washington.

Griffin was asked about his benching, which was something the second-year quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner didn't seem to want.

“I’m sure everybody knows by now that coach decided to shut me down for the rest of the season," Griffin told reporters. "We talked, I talked to coach, he talked to me about it. I expressed my desire to play. He explained to me his reasoning. At the end of the day, coach’s decision is what we go with.”

After throwing just five interceptions as a rookie, Griffin's number ballooned to 12 this year. He hasn't been much of a runner, accounting for just 489 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground — compared to the 815 rushing yards and seven touchdowns he posted a year ago.

It was clear his knee wasn't allowing him to be the same quarterback he was a year ago, which played into this decision. Kirk Cousins is the new first-team quarterback with Rex Grossman backing him up.

Now with this decision behind the Redskins, the attention will turn to the apparent rift between Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder.

Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider

Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

Upcoming Games