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Robert Griffin III says he turned down offers from Cardinals, Ravens

Robert Griffin III remains one of the most fascinating what-ifs in recent NFL history. What if the onetime Redskins franchise savior hadn’t gotten injured? What if then-Washington coach Mike Shanahan hadn’t tried to bring him back too soon? What if RG3 wasn’t used as a pawn between ownership and coaching staff? So many questions, never any answers.

Griffin hasn’t played football since last season with Cleveland, and hasn’t played high-level football in years. He’s also said he wants back into the NFL, and says he’s been keeping in shape, waiting on that call. Even so, he said this week that he turned down offers from two separate franchises to suit up for the 2017 season.

Speaking on ESPN’s SC6, Griffin said he received offers from the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens, but turned down both, for different reasons. Arizona already had three quarterbacks on the roster, and he would have entered as a fourth-stringer. (Of course, the Cardinals’ top two QBs have already gone down to injury, but Griffin couldn’t have known that would happen.) Baltimore wanted Griffin to suit up with little preparation against Washington in a preseason game, and Griffin didn’t want to play under those kinds of conditions. Still, he says his phone continues to ring.

“I had interest in the offseason,” Griffin said. “It just wasn’t the right fit and I had to make that decision for myself to say, ‘Look, if I don’t accept this offer, there’s a chance I won’t play football this year.’ And I would talk to my family, and I was OK with that, OK with the fact that it might happen.”

Whether that was legitimate interest or just teams putting out the kind of if-we-asked-you-would-you-say-yes feelers that often go out remains an open question. Even so, Griffin says he’d be ready for any playoff teams who might need some quick help.

“I love football. I miss the game,” Griffin said. “I am ready. So I haven’t given up on 2017 yet. There are some teams that need help and may need help going into the playoffs.”

If nothing else, you’ve gotta love the guy’s positive self-image. Good on ya, RG3.

Robert Griffin III in action. (Getty)
Robert Griffin III in action. (Getty)

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.