Colt McCoy Will Replace Robert Griffin III as Redskins QB vs. Colts in Week 13

Robert Griffin III was benched for the Redskins' Week 13 clash with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Continue for updates.

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Redskins Confirm Griffin Benching

Albert Breer of NFL.com provided confirmation from the team that Colt McCoy would be starting in Week 13:

Chris Russell of ESPN Radio reports that Griffin will be the backup:

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report weighed in on Griffin's future in Washington after the decision:

Jay Gruden, Colt McCoy Talk About Decision 

Jay Gruden spoke about his decision to start Colt McCoy over Griffin III during a Wednesday press conference via Chick Hernandez of CSNWashington, the CSN Washington account and Mike Jones of the Washington Post: 

New starter Colt McCoy was also asked about the decision via Washington's Twitter account:

Griffin Unhappy With Decision

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC has Griffin's thoughts on his benching from coach Jay Gruden: 

Redskins Player Comments on Benching

According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, an unnamed Redskin has commented on Griffin's benching:

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Robert Griffin III Benched

On Monday, Washington head coach Jay Gruden told reporters his "intent" was for Robert Griffin III to be his starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. 

Apparently, his intentions changed just a day later.

Citing a source close to the situation, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday evening that Gruden has instead tabbed Colt McCoy as the starter over the—former?—franchise quarterback:

Griffin has struggled since his return from a dislocated ankle on Nov. 2. The 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has thrown two touchdowns and three interceptions in his past three games, failing to put together extended scoring drives.

Most of his throws have been underneath instead of deep balls, and Washington's offense has stalled when receivers haven't made plays after the catch.

Washington has lost all three of Griffin's starts since his return, dropping to 3-8 through Week 12. Griffin threw for only 106 yards while adding 11 yards on the ground in Washington's 17-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, leading some in the District to call for his benching.

Gruden nonetheless told reporters he had "every intent" on sticking with his struggling signal-caller.

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

"There’s a chance at a lot of positions, yes," Gruden said of a potential change. "It’s Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock, and right now we have every intent for Robert, but we’ll look at the tape and make our evaluations here shortly."

Albert Breer of NFL.com notes that the move is likely the last one the Redskins will make this season:

Jason Reid of the Washington Post noted on Wednesday that any efforts by the Redskins to maintain Griffin was still a part of their plans were simply to maintain the signal caller's trade value:

Reid continued:

"

It’s highly unlikely the struggling quarterback will return next season, people within the organization say. Gruden convinced owner Daniel Snyder and team President and General Manager Bruce Allen, Griffin’s biggest supporters at Redskins Park, that change was necessary. Although Griffin was coming off consecutive inept performances and had not led Washington to a victory in more than a year, don’t underestimate what Gruden accomplished in getting Snyder and Allen on his side.

Snyder and Allen were united in the belief that Griffin could turn back the clock to 2012. They hired Gruden to help make it happen, figuring it wasn’t lack of ability that derailed Griffin last season; it was Mike and Kyle Shanahan. In the past couple of weeks, though, Snyder and Allen began to see the same glaring shortcomings Gruden had noticed since the preseason, team officials say. The tape doesn’t have an agenda.

Griffin’s approach off the field was part of his undoing. Whether or not it was fair, there was a feeling among some at Redskins Park that Griffin should have spent less time in the weight room and more on honing other parts of his game. Then there was all the hoopla that went into fueling Griffin’s RGIII persona.

"

McCoy appeared in two games during Griffin's absence, replacing an ineffective Kirk Cousins. Washington won both contests, including a 20-17 overtime win against the division rival Dallas Cowboys.

McCoy threw for 427 yards and completed 85.7 percent of his passes in those matchups.

While that's a small sample size against two average-to-below-average defenses—Tennessee being the other—it's hard to argue Griffin deserves to keep the job on merit.

Football Outsiders' DVOA metric ranks Griffin 39th among the 40 quarterbacks who have made at least 100 pass attempts this season. He also ranks near the bottom in ESPN's QBR metric, fares poorly in Pro Football Focus' (subscription required) estimation and has generally failed the eye test.

Partially due to schematic changes, Griffin has almost entirely abandoned the explosive running that made him a dynamic force as a rookie.

Schefter's report indicates that Griffin is still a part of Washington's long-term plans, but all other signs indicate otherwise. Gruden's pointed postgame comments, the near-constant rumors of friction with teammates and this benching would lead a reasonable person to think we're nearing the end of Griffin's tenure in Washington.

It's an amazing fall from grace for someone who looked like a franchise savior just two years ago.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter @tylerconway22.