Could Robert Griffin III Be Traded To The Dallas Cowboys?

Oct 13, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) kneels in the end zone for a moment prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

What goes around, comes around. Some prefer to call it karma. For the Dallas Cowboys, it could be fate. Two years ago on this very holiday, Thanksgiving, the Cowboys faced off against the Washington Redskins. It would be a disappointing day for fans of America’s Team as a rookie quarterback, Robert Griffin III, would led their hated NFC East rivals to a 38-31 upset victory at AT&T Stadium.

Fast forward two years later, and that same promising young quarterback has now been benched in Washington and is currently being encircled by trade rumors like malnourished vultures. So what are the chances Griffin, who burned the Cowboys just two years ago, ends up in Dallas next season?

“He’s got it. Once you see a player do it, especially if you see him do it two or three times, you know he can do it…I’m a big admirer of RG III.”- Jerry Jones

First, let’s look at what kind of player the Cowboys would be getting in a potential trade. Washington traded for Griffin in the 2012 NFL draft, trading three first round picks and a second rounder just to move up to the number two overall selection. The former Baylor Bear payed immediate dividends, catapulting the team to a storybook 10-6 season ending record and a playoff birth. He ended the year throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 15 games.

At the tail end of that amazing rookie campaign where Griffin was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and to the Pro Bowl, he suffered injuries to both his ACL and LCL ligaments in his right knee. He truly has never been the same player since.

The following season featured an unhealthy RG3 who hobbled through 13 games, and ultimately did more harm than good for himself and his team. The Redskins would end the year going 3-13, and the mishandling of the disgruntled young quarterback was believed to be a big part of the reason Washington fired legendary head coach Mike Shanahan at season’s end.

This year, a dislocated left ankle injury Griffin suffered in Week Two has further complicated another comeback season under a new head coach, Jay Gruden, and entirely new offensive scheme. The pressure of it all has proven to be too much for the young man. In his five appearances so far in 2014, RG3 has averaged just 173.8 passing yards a game, throwing for a total of two touchdowns and three interceptions. And now it appears the Redskins’ coaching staff, front office and ownership has lost faith in their once touted savoir.

ESPN NFL Nation reporter John Keim reported on Wednesday that one NFL executive from another team believes Griffin’s trade value could equal as low as a 5th or 6th round pick at this point. And any team willing to make that trade would only have to pay a relatively low one-year, $3.4 million contract for his services in 2015.

Obviously, trades can not conduct until the offseason as the deadline has passed for this year. So Griffin is a Redskin until season’s end and his status could certainly change by then. But his price tag does seem more than reasonable.

But there are plenty of teams in need of quality quarterback play. The Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets instantly come to mind. But Dallas might have a something those teams don’t possess for Griffin. Time.