Plain and simple, the Washington Redskins are a big mess right now.
In 2012, the Redskins went all-out to move up in the NFL draft, nabbing the player they believed would be their franchise quarterback of the future, Robert Griffin III. The Redskins shelled out their first-round draft picks for three years to the St. Louis Rams. (Via Baylor University) (Via The Washington Times)
The D.C. franchise did all that for Griffin but now has to watch him ride the bench for the rest of the season.
The Redskins officially announced at a press conference Wednesday that RG3 will not start Sunday and will be deactivated for the rest of the season. Instead, backup Kirk Cousins will get the nod. (Via WVEC)
"I think it is a great opportunity to show what I'm capable of. ... I know these guys are going to do the best they can to help me, and I'm going to do the same for them. This is about the Washington Redskins and doing the best I can to get a win against the Falcons." (Via ESPN)
"Coach's decision is what we go with, and that's what it's always been." (Via Comcast SportsNet)
Head coach Mike Shanahan says the reasoning behind the decision is that Griffin has taken a lot of hits this season and shutting him down now will keep him healthy. It's an unpopular move, but that's not the only issue within the organization.
The Redskins are 3-10 this season, meaning this year's first round pick they traded to St. Louis is likely going to a good one and would've helped Washington out immensely, had they kept it. (Via NewsChannel 8)
And ESPN reports Shanahan reportedly wanted to quit after last season because team owner Dan Snyder coddled RG3. The Redskins have denied the report.
Some even believe Shanahan is trying to get fired. The Washington Post reports the Redskins front office is looking at ways to withhold money from Shanahan if or when Snyder fires him. The coach is signed through next season for approximately $7 million a year.
An agitated Shanahan said Wednesday, "If I'm trying to get fired, I'm not going to call up Dan and ask his opinion on a player if I don't have to." (Via Comcast SportsNet)
Add in the never-ending debate on whether the Redskins' team name is offensive, and there's plenty of controversy to go around.
Deadspin calls RG3 a pawn between Shanahan and Snyder, writing: "Mike Shanahan is daring Washington to fire him. Dan Snyder has no problems seeing Shanahan go, but not at the cost of the $7 million remaining on his contract for 2014. Caught in the middle of this ugly divorce is poor, innocent, Robert Griffin III. ... Forget Robert Griffin's on-field struggles: This is how you run an unsuccessful football team."
Sunday the Redskins will play the Falcons, who have one of the worst passing defenses in the league.
