New Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III admitted at an introductory news conference on Wednesday that he has a “massive chip” on his shoulder.
RG3 promised to bring a starter’s mindset to Cleveland after his four-year stint with the Washington Redskins ended in March.
“I’m not trying to let any baggage hold me down, but I have a massive chip on my shoulder,” said Griffin, who signed a two-year deal with the Browns worth $15 million.
The 26-year-old Griffin, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Redskins, was released before his fifth-year option hit the books at more than $15 million. Griffin was replaced as the starting quarterback in Washington before the 2015 season by Kirk Cousins, who was retained in March with the Redskins’ franchise tag.
Griffin joins a franchise with head coach Hue Jackson, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta entering their first year together.
The Browns’ long-standing struggles include 24 starting quarterbacks since 1999.
“I know the history, a little bit, of Cleveland,” Griffin said. “And guys sometimes don’t want to come here. I wanted to come here. I wanted to be here, and I wanted them to know that.”
After leading the Redskins to the playoffs in his rookie season of 2012, Griffin struggled because of injuries and poor play. He has career totals of 8,097 yards, 40 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He did not play one snap for the Redskins in 2015.
“I’ve grown a lot since 2012,” Griffin said. “I know there are things that I could’ve done differently.”
Jackson tried to deflect attention from one player being the key to the Browns’ coming back from a three-win season.
“I don’t think our system is just about Robert,” Jackson said. “Our system is about our offensive players.”
As the former Heisman Trophy winner strode away for the podium to end his news conference, Griffin said, “No pressure, no diamonds.”