Quarterback Robert Griffin III made his return to the NFL during the 2018 season thanks to the Baltimore Ravens and he's hoping 2019 will present him with the same opportunity.
“Yes, I’d love to be back," Griffin III said Monday.
"I feel like I have a good grasp of what this team is trying to do. I would love to help Lamar [Jackson] continue to develop and also be available and ready to play. The question is, is that going to happen? I don’t know. Will there be other opportunities for me around the league? I don’t know. I’ll just continue to work hard every single day and see what happens. But I’d love to be back, no doubt.”
Prior to drafting Lamar Jackson in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens signed Griffin III to a one-year, $1 million contract after being out of the league for a year. The uncertainty of Jackson's development throughout the season earned Griffin III a spot on the Ravens' 53-man roster behind Joe Flacco and Jackson.
Despite being a gameday inactive most weeks, the Heisman Trophy winner saw action in three games including conducting an important field goal drive in the team's Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons after Jackson left the game in concussion protocol.
Luckily for RGIII, the odds of him remaining in Baltimore appear to be in his favor.
After Sunday's 23-17 Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, John Harbaugh made it clear that Jackson is their quarterback of the future while reflecting on the 11 years Flacco spent with the Ravens. As the team's No. 2, Griffin III would offer a wide range of experience that most backups lack and has taken satisfaction throughout the 2018 season in mentoring his fellow Heisman Trophy winner.
In return, the Ravens have offered the 28-year-old stability in what's been a rocky five years for the former second-overall pick.
"I really took pride in wearing this uniform this year and representing this organization," Griffin III added. "So, there’s a certain level of that appreciation for the Ravens giving me an opportunity to get back in the league and staying true to that."
Opportunity to be a starter elsewhere could also be in the cards for the QB, but what's best for his family will remain top priority.
“I think the No. 1 priority is just taking care of my family and just doing what’s right," Griffin said. "From that standpoint, if the opportunity is out there for me to compete to be a starter, be a starter, you’re definitely going to weigh those options. This is a great organization, and I like the direction that they’re going. This offense is suited to my skill set. I can run really any offense now that I’m six years deep in the league and kind of have an understanding of what’s going on, but at the same time, I just have to make the right decision, not only for myself but just to be in the right situation.”
MORE RAVENS NEWS:
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- Still See a Future: Despite uneven performance, Ravens confident in Jackson
- Where's Flacco: Should veteran have played vs. Chargers?
