Robert Griffin III eager to return to NFL, says ‘I train every day’

Robert Griffin III has said he was eager to return to the NFL after taking a sabbatical last season to focus on working as an ESPN analyst, but he is ready to put his career on hold.

“I’m ready to go right now,” he said via CBS 10 KWTX. “I train every day. I throw and work out. I know what it takes to get my body ready, and I am doing those things. Yes, it is a little bit tougher when you are flying around everywhere doing stuff for TV. When you really want something, you make it work.” Check out the best new sportsbooks for betting on the NFL.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is currently still working on sports, albeit on its broadcasting side. He said he did not consider himself retired despite being out of the NFL last season.

Prepping other players

He brought his traveling dual-act to New Jersey in April, where he had a pre-draft interview with Kenny Pickett while running through drills with Picket and trainer Tony Racioppi at TEST Football Academy. Pickett happened to be the first-round draft choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the NFL

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/11/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Griffin is a free agent whose last game was for the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. His best seasons were when he was with the Washington Commanders. Before that, he spent a year with the Cleveland Browns and continued mentoring Lamar Jackson during Jackson’s rookie season in 2018, his MVP season in 2019, and 2020.

For the time being, Griffin serves as a mentor for other players, providing them with football knowledge.

“I still love to play,” he said. “But right now, I’m just focused on doing the best as I can as a storyteller and giving back to football as much as I can.

“That is a big point of emphasis for me. I am trying to aid these guys and give back to the sport, not take away from it. It’s not about me, it’s about the guys that are playing.”

Griffin’s career put on hold by injury

Griffin’s career was quite promising until a series of injuries put it on hold, starting with a knee injury in 2012, followed by a dislocated left ankle in 2014. In 2015, he suffered a concussion, preventing him from being an active third-string quarterback for the Commanders. In 2016, he suffered a shoulder injury, which led to his release and rendered him jobless for the 2017 season.

He spent 2018-20 with the Ravens as a backup quarterback to Joe Flacco and Jackson. Griffin started with two games (1-1 record) and completed 56.9 percent passes for 288 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions (47.2) in 14 games with the team.

Throughout seven NFL seasons, Griffin has completed 63 percent of his passes for 9,271 yards, with 43 touchdowns and 30 interceptions (86.5 ratings). He also has a rushing number of 1,809 yards and ten touchdowns.

Should he return, Griffin will not be looking forward to playing as a quarterback this time. He said what mattered to him was getting back in the game.

“So if I get that call this year, next year, or five years from now, I will be ready to play,” he said.