Washington Redskins: 15 best quarterbacks of all-time

The standards for greatness change over time, through both the evolution of the league itself and the evolution of the circumstances surrounding each franchise.

Heading into the 2012 NFL Draft, the Redskins were looking for any kind of hope at all. Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen had sent the organization into swirling dysfunction. The team had not won a playoff game since 1991. They chose Robert Griffin III as the spark to bring life to the franchise, picking him No. 2 overall.

And in his rookie season, Griffin did not simply light a spark. He ignited a flame.

If the quarterbacks on this list were to be ranked by excitement, then Griffin would have an argument to be at the No. 1 spot. Griffin’s game in his first season earned him NFL Rookie of the Year honors. A late-season winning streak led Washington to a playoff matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Even with a loss, the future seemed to be bright.

Then, however, Griffin suffered a torn ACL in that playoff game. Mismanaged by coaches, he came back the next season far from himself. Griffin was benched with three games left in the 2013 campaign for Kirk Cousins, who threw four touchdowns and seven interceptions in Griffin’s absence.

By 2016, Griffin was gone from Washington. Now, he’s a backup wit the Baltimore Ravens, waiting for his chance to grace the stat sheets again.