Former QB Eager To Mentor Justin Fields In Chicago
Justin Fields is about to start over in a brand new offense from scratch. Luke Getsy hopes his system fits the young quarterback well. History favors that likelihood. Current head coaches like Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt Lafleur have used it to great success. The problem is the outside-zone offense is notoriously difficult to learn. Quarterbacks may struggle in their first year trying to grasp it. Matt Ryan is one such example. However, with time they often end up blossoming.
One way the Bears might be able to streamline the process is by bringing in quarterbacks who have played in the system before. Trevor Siemian played two years in it with the Denver Broncos. Not quite enough time to grasp its intricacies. Another name might be able to help. That is Robert Griffin III. The former Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowler for the Washington Redskins spent three seasons as a starter under Shanahan. He had considerable success in the offense.
Now it seems he’s considering a comeback.
Griffin last appeared on an NFL field in 2020. Last season he transitioned to the analyst desk, becoming a quality commentator. Still, at 32-years old, he feels like there is still gas in the tank. He proved that by running a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash during the annual Run Rich Run charity event following the draft. When he spoke with Rich Eisen on his podcast afterward, Griffin revealed three teams he’d love to play for.
“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.”
It isn’t a terrible idea. Justin Fields and Griffin share similar athletic profiles. Both are fast runners with good arms who could beat teams on the ground or through the air. Griffin’s experience in the Shanahan offense could be valuable since he played at the highest level in it and made a series of mistakes that cost him his standing as a starter. He can inform Fields what to do and what not to do.
At this stage, it’s unlikely to happen. The Bears already have Siemian. Signing Griffin as a third-stringer seems rather redundant unless they plan to carry three quarterbacks in the regular season. Given recent NFL trends, that seems unlikely. Something to at least monitor, though.