In April the Baltimore Ravens signed Robert Griffin III, presumably to be the backup quarterback for the 2018 campaign. Griffin shined brightly, but injuries derailed his career. The Ravens were impressed with him both health wise and playing wise. His experience as an NFL quarterback also impressed the Ravens. The Ravens wanted a quarterback who could be trusted to win games should Flacco get hurt. However, the narrative completely changed when Baltimore drafted quarterback Lamar Jackson at the end of the first round. The Ravens typically only keep two quarterbacks on the roster, and would only suffer a cap hit of $100,000 if the team was to cut Robert Griffin III. The situation isn’t exactly great for Robert Griffin III, but there is a way he can still make the roster.
To make the final 53 man roster, Robert Griffin III needs to impress the coaching staff with every opportunity he gets. Griffin needs to showcase his strong arm and prove he still throws accurate balls. Griffin will also need to show his athletic ability while taking hits and staying durable. He cannot afford even the slightest injury scare. Griffin has never played a full season in the NFL. The Ravens have dealt with too many injuries over the past few years. Griffin will not be able to make the final roster should he suffer an injury. Griffin needs to also prove that he can work well with the offense. He would need to be able to fill in for Joe Flacco should Flacco get injured.
Griffin’s roster prospects don’t just rest with him alone, however. Lamar Jackson is also key to Griffin’s success in Baltimore. Everyone wants Lamar Jackson to succeed, but there is no denying he is not ready to play NFL football. The Ravens have to decide either to redshirt Lamar Jackson as the third-string quarterback for the 2018 campaign or to have him sit behind Flacco as the backup. If Harbaugh feels he needs more refinement before he can be thrusted into a game, then the coaching staff will likely sit him behind Griffin. However, if Jackson is ready to play, then Griffin has almost no chance of making the roster.
