Redskins finally admit publicly Robert Griffin III won’t be back in Washington

Robert Griffin III’s last involvement as a member of the Washington Redskins will be as part of a trade, or a cut notice on the NFL transaction wire.

Redskins President Bruce Allen confirmed the inevitable Tuesday when he publicly admitted that Griffin would not be on Washington’s roster next season.

“Well, no. I see Robert getting an opportunity with another team. We’ve heard from some teams that are interested. I think he’s going to have a choice of a couple teams that will let him excel in the future,” Allen told 1090 AM radio in San Diego.

The Redskins have until March 9 to trade or release Griffin before he costs them $16.1 million when his fifth-year team option kicks in.

Either way, it’s a costly cut for the Redskins, who acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for their first-round choices in 2012, 2013, 2014 and their second-round pick in 2012.

The Redskins still might have gotten their money’s worth out of that draft in the fourth round with quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins emerged last season as a legitimate NFL starter, setting the Redskins franchise record for completions in a single game (33) and season (379) and yardage (4,166) en route to the organization’s first postseason berth since 2012.

However, Cousins will become a free agent, like Griffin, if the Redskins don’t apply the franchise tag, worth around $20 million, or reach an agreement with the quarterback on a new deal.

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In four seasons, Griffin was 14-21 as a starter, including a 9-6 run his rookie year when he guided the Redskins to the playoffs.

Washington ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson, a third-round pick from the 2012 class. In that game, Griffin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his second such injury since 2009, when he was at Baylor.

“From when we first drafted him all the way through he’s been a good teammate and a good guy,” Allen said of Griffin. “I know some people on the outside always like to be critical, but his teammates like him, his coaches like him, he does have some special talents and we wish him well.”

There are several teams in need of a starting quarterback going into the 2016, including the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and, coincidentally, the Los Angeles Rams.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme.

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