Browns Name QB Robert Griffin III Starting Quarterback

Update:

The Browns have already made it official, announcing Robert Griffin III will be their starting quarterback for the 2016 season.

“It’s time. Robert has earned the right to be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns,” Jackson said. “Since he was signed back in March, Robert has made it clear through his actions that he is willing to do everything that has been asked of him to earn this role. Throughout this process he has gained the respect from his teammates, the coaching staff and the entire organization that is necessary for him to lead our offense and really the entire team. Pep (Hamilton) has done an outstanding job with that room to get us to this point so we can make this decision at what I feel is the optimal time which enables us to best prepare for the regular season. It’s now on Robert to show the organization and our fans that this is the right decision. Throughout the offseason program and training camp, Robert has shown improvement every day and we expect him to continue to ascend as he becomes more and more acclimated to the offensive system we will employ this season. I’ve been crystal clear on what we expect from Robert. He fully understands the responsibility and I feel he is ready to handle this role.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t also commend Josh, Austin and Cody. Josh in particular has been outstanding throughout this process and all of our quarterbacks have worked well together. Their play, professionalism and work ethic has pushed the room to really improve the level of play at the position for our team.”

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ESPN’s Bob Holtzman reports that the Browns are expected to name Robert Griffin III their starting quarterback with an announcement possible as soon as today.

• Ian Rapoport confirms the news and adds that RGIII has taken almost all of the reps with the first-team offense, so this really shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.

Griffin, 26, is a former Rookie of the Year and No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The Redskins traded a huge package of draft picks to get him, but he fell out of favor in Washington, which led to the Redskins using him as their No. 3 quarterback in order to prevent an injury that would guarantee his 2016 salary.

Last May, Washington elected to pick up his fifth-year option worth $16.2 million last year, but they made the obvious move and cut him loose this offseason before this salary became guaranteed.

The Browns signed RGIII to a two-year, $15 million contract that includes $6.75 million guaranteed.  He’ll make a base salary of $3.25 million for the 2016 season.

In 2014, Griffin appeared in nine games and threw for 1,694 yards while completing 68.7 percent of his passes to go along with four touchdowns and six interceptions.