Robert Griffin III once believed his NFL playing career was over. Nearly 6 years after his last game, the former Washington quarterback says multiple teams have contacted him about a possible return.
On the Double Coverage podcast with Zach Hirsch, Griffin discussed the renewed interest. He said NFL teams had reached out to ask if he wanted to play again. The United Football League has also contacted him.
The 36-year-old continues to work in football broadcasting. Now, he may consider another playing opportunity. However, Griffin has not announced a deal, and no interested NFL team has been publicly identified.
Griffin confirms teams have contacted him
Griffin addressed the possibility of returning during an Oct. 9 appearance on the Double Coverage podcast. He said multiple NFL teams had contacted him to determine whether he was genuinely interested in playing again or simply generating online discussion.
“I would certainly entertain going back and playing in the NFL,” Griffin said during the conversation, according to the published podcast transcript.
His comments suggest that discussions have moved beyond casual speculation, but they do not establish that a team is preparing to sign him. Griffin has not publicly disclosed the identities of the NFL clubs that contacted him.
The former quarterback is open to another opportunity
Griffin made clear that he had previously accepted the idea that his playing days were finished. The recent inquiries, however, have encouraged him to reconsider whether another opportunity might exist.
The former quarterback did not describe a formal offer or announce a return date. Instead, he indicated that he would consider the possibility if the right circumstances developed, leaving his next step uncertain.
His willingness to listen reflects the difference between receiving interest and securing a roster spot. NFL teams must weigh a quarterback’s current physical condition, familiarity with their system and ability to contribute against the demands of an intensely competitive position.
The UFL has also entered the conversation
The United Football League has reportedly made its own effort to bring Griffin back. During the podcast, he said league representatives had contacted him and were trying to persuade him to play.
Griffin discussed the UFL’s interest while describing the conversations surrounding his potential return. The league’s outreach gives him another possible route to playing football if an NFL opportunity does not materialize.
UFL interest does not guarantee that Griffin will sign with a team or take the field. The league offers a different competitive setting from the NFL, but a return would still require preparation and a commitment to the physical demands of professional football.
His NFL career began with remarkable success
Washington selected Griffin No. 2 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft after his standout college career at Baylor. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks through his passing ability and dynamic running style.
Griffin won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012 and earned a Pro Bowl selection. His debut season made him a central figure in Washington’s offense and raised expectations for what he could accomplish in the league.
That early success provides important context for the discussion of the comeback. Griffin was once among the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks, but the challenges that followed his breakout season changed the direction of his professional career.
Injuries changed the trajectory of his career
Griffin’s early years were disrupted by serious knee injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament during Washington’s 2012 playoff loss. The injuries affected his availability and complicated his effort to maintain his initial momentum.
After leaving Washington, he spent time with Cleveland before joining Baltimore in 2018. With the Ravens, Griffin primarily served as Lamar Jackson’s backup, remaining in the league as he worked to preserve his place on an NFL roster.
His final NFL appearance came on Dec. 2, 2020, when Baltimore lost 19-14 to Pittsburgh. Griffin left that game with a hamstring injury and was later placed on injured reserve, according to NFL.com.
Six years away creates a difficult challenge
Returning to the NFL after such a long absence would require Griffin to overcome significant obstacles. Quarterbacks must process defensive looks quickly, deliver accurate passes under pressure and maintain the timing needed to operate a professional offense.
His experience could help him understand defensive schemes and the demands of the position. However, familiarity with the game is only one part of the equation, and his current readiness should be evaluated rather than assumed.
Teams also have to consider roster construction and the time required to integrate a new quarterback. Griffin’s past achievements may make the possibility interesting, but they cannot substitute for a present-day assessment of his abilities and fitness.
Broadcasting has kept him connected to football
Griffin has remained involved in the sport through television work since his playing career ended. He has worked as a football analyst, giving him opportunities to study games, discuss strategy and stay engaged with developments across the NFL and college football.
That continued involvement distinguishes his situation from someone who has stepped entirely away from the game. Studying football can preserve tactical knowledge, although analyzing plays from a broadcast booth differs considerably from executing them against professional defenders.
Griffin would also have to consider what a return means for his current career. Broadcasting has provided an established role in football, so any decision to play would involve balancing that work against the demands and uncertainty of another playing opportunity.
Griffin has another football milestone on his résumé
In March 2026, Griffin earned a place on USA Football’s initial 24-player men’s national-team training roster. The group was scheduled to compete for 12 positions on the final roster for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship.
Griffin withdrew from the selection process in May because a scheduling conflict prevented him from attending training camp. Although he did not compete for the final roster, his initial selection demonstrated his continued interest in playing football.
For now, Griffin’s NFL future remains unresolved. He says NFL teams have contacted him, and the UFL has also expressed interest, but no contract or return date has been announced.
Fun fact: Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in 2011 while playing for Baylor, becoming the first player in the university’s history to receive college football’s most prestigious individual award.
TL;DR
- Robert Griffin III says multiple NFL teams have contacted him about a possible comeback.
- The UFL has also expressed interest in bringing the 36-year-old former quarterback back to play.
- Griffin last appeared in an NFL game on Dec. 2, 2020, with the Baltimore Ravens.
- His NFL career included an Offensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl selection.
- No NFL contract or confirmed return date has been announced.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
