Robert Griffin III says he garnered NFL interest after running 40-yard dash

The Washington Commanders’ quarterback room for 2022 appears to be filled following the selection of Sam Howell in the fifth round.

With Carson Wentz locked in as the starter and doubtful to face any competition, according to head coach Ron Rivera, Taylor Heinicke assuming his familiar backup role, Howell taking over third-string duties and undrafted free agent Cole Kelley likely to preside over the practice squad, this unit has legitimate depth.

With that in mind, Washington’s remaining offseason additions will come at other positions, like cornerback, linebacker and defensive tackle.

That should put them out of the running for Robert Griffin III, who made headlines this week after sharing he garnered interest from NFL teams after he ran a blistering 4.48 40-yard dash at Rich Eisen’s annual 40-yard charity event.

Could former Commanders QB Robert Griffin III return to the NFL?

"“Yes, I did get some calls because of that 4.48,” Griffin said during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “No kidding. I would say shocking, but it’s been 10 years and a number of wear and tear on the body, so to run .07 slower than I did at the combine I think that piqued some team’s interest.”"

Despite working as an analyst for ESPN, Griffin has maintained his desire to play football professionally again. He was out of the league in 2021 after serving as Baltimore’s backup spanning the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Of course, getting calls and getting offers are entirely different entities. While teams are impressed that Griffin hasn’t lost a step (he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the 2012 combine), concerns about his durability trump his sprinting ability.

Despite that, and lacking consistency as a quarterback following his groundbreaking rookie campaign in 2012, Griffin has mapped out some ideal destinations. Going back to his roots in Texas where he starred at Baylor tops his list.

"I’ve been reached out to from a plethora of teams. You know, going back home to Texas with the Dallas Cowboys, I know a lot of Washington fans don’t want to hear that but that would be a great situation for me.The Atlanta Falcons being there with Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder would be a great situation for me. Going to Chicago with Justin Fields to try to help as much as I possibly can in that quarterback room would also be a great situation."

Will Griffin’s self-recruitment pitch pan out? Nobody knows. From a football perspective, though, it would be pretty cool to see him end up with one of the Falcons or Bears, both of whom have young QBs who could use some mentoring.

While Desmond Ridder has Marcus Mariota to lean on in Atlanta, Justin Fields’ top mentor is Trevor Siemian after Chicago released Nick Foles. Given what Fields offers as a dual-threat quarterback, it couldn’t hurt to add Griffin to the mix to help guide the second-year QB, who lost his top wideout in Allen Robinson and is adjusting to playing for a new head coach and general manager.

Whatever happens, don’t expect Griffin’s efforts to let up anytime soon. The odds of an oft-injured 32-year-old QB getting a second (third?) shot in the NFL are slim, but the former Offensive Rookie of the Year isn’t giving up on his dream.

You won’t find us holding that against him.