Robert Griffin III Talks Jayden Daniels, Commanders, CFP and More in B/R Interview

There may not be anyone in NFL history who understands Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels' position in his second season better than Robert Griffin III, which is why the franchise's former quarterback's word carries so much weight.

Daniels has dealt with a variety of injuries with his hamstring, knee and elbow in 2025 after leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. After missing three games with a dislocated elbow, he just reaggravated it during Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Griffin has been rather vocal on social media while saying Daniels should not play the rest of the season, and he told Bleacher Report what he would tell the young quarterback if he was on the coaching staff dealing with the situation.

"Jayden, it's our job to protect you from yourself," Griffin said. "You've had a number of injuries this year, we're out of the playoffs. You just reinjured your dislocated elbow in your first game back, and it's our job as an organization to look out for you not just for this season or the next game but for your career over the next 10 to 15 years. 

"We want you to be our quarterback for that extended period of time. So we're going to take these last few weeks of this season and allow you to heal up and figure out what we need to do to prevent these injuries in the future and come back next year with a better supporting cast to go out and try to win the Super Bowl."

The long-term approach makes sense, especially since Washington fell to 3-10 with its latest defeat. Daniels isn't the only star player who has dealt with injuries, as wide receiver Terry McLaurin has appeared in just six games.

And it seems like the organization is taking a cautious approach, as head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Wednesday that Daniels will not play in the upcoming contest against the New York Giants even though there were no structural setbacks to his elbow. 

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That Griffin would be cautious isn't surprising.

After all, he was once Washington's No. 2 overall pick at quarterback with a bright future ahead of him after taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the team to the playoffs in his first season. However, injuries largely prevented him from living up to his full potential as his career progressed.

Griffin played in double-digit games just one more season after his rookie year and surely doesn't want the same fate for Daniels.

But Griffin has transitioned to the media as an analyst and podcaster following his playing career and has been impressed with another NFL team even while his former squad has struggled.

"I'm shocked more people aren't talking about the Seattle Seahawks," he said. "It almost feels like they're a little bit forgotten. Sam Darnold's playing his tail off, Jaxon Smith-Njigba should be an MVP candidate. For some reason, it seems like they're going under the radar. 

"I think it's because people have a reluctance to praise Sam Darnold because of the playoff skepticism, but Seattle is doing an incredible job and looks like it could have a really deep playoff run. They deserve more respect from the national media, and hopefully they'll get it."

Seattle is 10-3 and tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the best record in the NFC. Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,428 receiving yards and has clear chemistry with Darnold, and Griffin believes it should be a bigger storyline heading into the stretch run.

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His desire to highlight teams flying under the radar doesn't stop with the NFL.

Griffin has broadcasted college football games for Fox Sports this season and gave the underdogs a shout out when discussing the upcoming College Football Playoff.

"I'm very excited for James Madison and Tulane to have an opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff," he said. "There may be some people who think they shouldn't be there, but I think that's wrong. They did what they're supposed to do to get into the field. They earned it within the rules, and I'm excited to see them play."

But that doesn't mean he thinks the Group of Five teams will go all the way.

When it comes to making predictions, the former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner is giving some love to the Big 12.

"Texas Tech is my prediction to win the national championship because they have the best pass-rush in the country," Griffin said. "And offensively, they can beat you any way they need to by running or throwing the football. People are sleeping on them and disrespecting the Big 12, so I look forward to seeing them play it out."

Texas Tech Wins BIg 12 Title

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Texas Tech may not have generated as many headlines as Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana and others during the season, but it was dominant on the way to a 12-1 record. It defeated BYU twice with the second time coming in the Big 12 championship game and also handled Utah on the road in a high-profile showdown. 

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is one of the best players in the entire country regardless of position, and the Red Raiders only have to win three games to lift the trophy thanks to their first-round bye.

But it may come as a surprise to those who have followed Griffin this year that he isn't picking top-seeded Indiana to win the title. After all, he said for months the Hoosiers were the best team and got to run something of a victory lap after they defeated Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game to secure their spot atop the 12-team CFP field.

Yet that win and what comes with it could be a factor in the postseason.

"I don't think picking Tech makes me down on Indiana," Griffin explained. "I believe Indiana has been the best team in the country the entire year. As we go into the Playoff, what I realize is the emotional high Indiana is coming off after beating Ohio State. I want to see how they react to that and how they carry that with them. 

"I believe Fernando Mendoza is going to collect the Heisman Trophy this weekend, and there's going to be a lot of praise going on with Indiana. … They're the best team in the country right now, but the best team on paper doesn't always win the national championship."

Before the CFP kicks off, the attention of the college football world will shift to Saturday's showdown between Army and Navy.

As part of the celebration of the latest edition of the rivalry, Griffin teamed up with USAA in Baltimore to gift two vehicles to those in the Armed Forces as part of the organization's Recycled Rides initiative.

"It's an incredible opportunity," he said. "Giving back to our military members and their families is something I hold true to my heart. As a military brat, 31 years between my mom and my dad in the Army, I really am particular about the partnerships I do because I want them to be authentic. What I've learned about USAA over my 13 years of working with them is a core belief in their process and how they want to impact the community."

He helped present one vehicle to an Army vet and another to an active-duty Navy officer.

"We're showing them we haven't forgotten about them," Griffin said. "We appreciate their sacrifices, we appreciate them putting our families and the people who aren't serving before themselves. It takes a unique, special and driven person to do something like that and be a part of something bigger than themselves."

Griffin is also looking forward to the game, especially given his family history. 

Navy appears to be the better side on paper this season with a 9-2 record and its only losses coming to Notre Dame and North Texas teams that were CFP contenders for much of the campaign. It also counts impressive victories over South Florida and Memphis with quarterback Blake Horvath leading the way.

As for Army, it is 6-5 and assuming the underdog role. Still, it has taken strides since a 1-3 start and won three of its last four games behind quarterback Cale Hellums.

"My prediction is obviously Army is going to win," Griffin said. "You look at this game, you've got two quarterbacks who can really run the football effectively. What I do know is the records don't matter here because of how big the rivalry is and what it means to each institution. I know Navy has a better record right now, but that record doesn't come with you in between those white lines."

Army is also 6-3 in the last nine head-to-head matchups and would love nothing more than to continue its recent stretch of play and give Griffin plenty to cheer about Saturday.