It wouldn’t be the offseason without former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III reminding everyone he still wants to play in the NFL again.
On the final day of the 2022 NFL draft, NFL Network host Rich Eisen held his annual “Run Rich Run” event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Well, the event actually occurred one week earlier at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, but was recorded for the final day of the draft.
Eisen ran the 40-yard dash in 6.16 seconds.
However, it was Griffin who stole the show, reminding everyone of his blazing speed, running the 40 in 4.48 seconds. At the NFL combine in 2012, Griffin ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds.
Impressive for sure.
Griffin joined the “Rich Eisen Show” earlier this week and said thanks to his performance in the 40-yard dash; he’s receiving some NFL interest again.
“Yes, I did get some calls because of that 4.48,” Griffin said.
“No kidding, really?” Eisen asked. “Yeah, I got some calls, 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.”
Griffin expressed his desire to play after being out of football in 2021, working as an analyst for ESPN, a role in which he currently still holds. But Griffin said ESPN understands his desire to play still exists and if the right opportunity comes along, he’d return to the NFL.
Eisen then asks Griffin if there is an ideal situation for him in the NFL, to which Griffin responded.
“I’ve been reached out to from a plethora of teams,” Griffin said. “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.”
Did NFL teams reach out to Griffin to gauge his interest in a return, or did some in the NFL reach out to congratulate him on his impressive 40 time?
Let’s not forget the last time Griffin appeared in a game. It was Dec. 2, 2020, Griffin started the game for the Baltimore Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in place of Lamar Jackson. Griffin completed seven of 12 passes for 33 yards with one interception. It was as bad as it sounds. Griffin did rush for 68 yards and injured his hamstring in the process.
“We felt like we had a chance to come in here and win, shock the world and do something special,” Griffin said after the game, per ESPN. “I put it on myself. I feel like if I didn’t pull my hamstring in the second quarter we would have won.”
Griffin hasn’t taken a snap since. For anyone.
Last year, he campaigned for the Commanders to re-sign him before promising a tell-all book. Then, the tell-all book was suddenly off the table.
Confused yet?
Griffin is an excellent analyst. And his 2012 season with Washington was one for the ages. But that was 2012. Regardless of how fast Griffin runs the 40-yard dash, it does not equate to playing quarterback in the NFL.
Despite his insistence on returning to the NFL to play, Griffin proved in 2021 that he was already one of ESPN’s top personalities.
When you run a 4.48 40-yard dash, even if for charity and #RunRichRun, people take notice — @RGIII talked with us about it and how he’s gotten phone calls from #NFL execs about a possible return and where he’d like to go:#DallasCowboys#DirtyBirds #GoBears pic.twitter.com/kpsdiRAZMc
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 3, 2022