Robert Griffin III was a brilliantly shiny mild that shortly burnt out.
Earlier than Jayden Daniels took over the NFL and moved inside one win of the Tremendous Bowl, one other Washington rookie quarterback made historical past and had your complete league buzzing.
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“RGIII was an absolute cheat code,” one fan tweeted.
In 2025, Griffin is best identified for his busy social media accounts and a controversial run as an NFL analyst on ESPN.
13 years in the past, RGIII was the brand new face of the NFL, serving to construct a dual-threat basis for Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Daniels and extra.
Like Daniels, Griffin gained the Heisman Trophy.
As a junior at Baylor, the Japanese born QB recorded 47 mixed touchdowns on the best way to a 10-3 report and 67-56 bowl sport victory over Steve Sarkisian’s Washington Huskies.
And similar to Daniels, Griffin was taken No. 2 total within the NFL Draft.
Whereas Caleb Williams went first to Chicago final season, Andrew Luck was the No. 1 choice by Indianapolis in 2012.
Rookie brilliance adopted for RGIII, who was quickly leaping into the stands and being surrounded by screaming Washington followers.
“Received me 3 fantasy leagues that yr!” one fan tweeted.
“Lamar Jackson is what RG3 was imagined to be,” a second fan posted.
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“He would of redefined the that means of a cell QB if he stayed wholesome,” a 3rd fan wrote.
“Simply consider what might have been,” a fourth fan mentioned.
Griffin’s rookie numbers nonetheless stun greater than a decade later.
He accomplished 65.6 p.c of his passes for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and a 102.4 score.
The super-efficient Griffin solely threw 5 interceptions and averaged a league-best 8.1 yards per go.
He additionally outran everybody, speeding 120 instances for 815 yards, seven TDs and a league-high 6.8 yards per carry.
The Commanders, then referred to as the Redskins, gained the NFC East with a 10-6 report and completed the season on a seven-game profitable steak.
However 13 years later, a controversial knee harm remains to be the lingering reminiscence from RGIII’s historic rookie season.
After Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata hit the Washington QB’s proper knee, Griffin sat out a sport, then returned for a Wild Card playoff contest in opposition to Seattle.
Poor numbers (10-of-19 passing for 84 yards) arrange a 24-14 dwelling defeat to the Seahawks.
Even worse, RGIII re-injured his knee within the loss — it buckled and the ache was so unhealthy that Griffin could not get better a fumble.
Surgical procedure to restore a torn ACL and LCL adopted.
As Washington head coach Mike Shanahan grew to become the main target of blame, Griffin defined his career-changing determination as a 22-year-old rookie.
“I feel I did put myself at extra danger,” Griffin mentioned. “However each time you get on the sphere, you are placing your self on the road.”
“They need to have by no means performed him within the playoffs on that knee, then rushed him again,” a fan tweeted.
Quickly after Daniels scorched the Detroit Lions within the Divisional Spherical and pushed Washington to its first NFC Championship sport since 1991, Griffin posted a photograph of himself operating at midnight.
He proudly spoke for greater than 2 minutes, displaying off a burgundy-and-gold jersey that featured Daniels’ identify and No. 5 on the again.
“The Washington Commanders simply beat the perfect crew within the NFC,” Griffin tweeted.
“Jayden Daniels makes you consider they’ve what it takes to win a Tremendous Bowl THIS YEAR. Hottest crew within the NFL proper now.”
His phrases mentioned much more.
“You understand why I am out right here operating?” Griffin mentioned. “It is as a result of I am impressed by Jayden Daniels.
Rookie greats
ROBERT GRIFFIN III in 2012
Complete yards: 4,015
Complete TDs: 27
Group report: 10-6, NFC East first place
Awards: Offensive Rookie of 12 months, Professional Bowl
School: Heisman Trophy (Baylor), No. 2 decide
JAYDEN DANIELS in 2024
Complete yards: 4,459
Complete TDs: 31
Group report: 12-5, NFC East second place
Awards: Professional Bowl
School: Heisman Trophy (LSU), No. 2 decide
“You ever have anyone let you know you have been unsuitable about one thing, that you just knew you have been proper about?
“Folks such as you and me, we see the reality.”
The 24-year-old Daniels has introduced hope again to Washington in 2025.
He is the anticipated Offensive Rookie of the 12 months after finishing 69 p.c of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 TDs and a 100.1 score, whereas including 891 yards and 6 touchdowns on the bottom.
And similar to RGIII in 2012, Daniels is inspiring Washington with the facility of believing in a rookie QB who can seemingly do all the things on the sphere.
“Jayden Daniels could be having the perfect rookie quarterback season of all time. Like, of all time,” talkSPORT NFL Run Down host Will Gavin completely mentioned.
“That may be a big assertion to make. And I feel if he wins on Sunday, I feel he takes that moniker.”
The Commanders face the Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia.
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