Vikings Would Have Drafted Robert Griffin III, RG3 Himself Confirms

Nov 3, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs off the field after the game against the San Diego Chargers at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Where would the Vikings be right now had they lost that game against the Redskins in 2011, securing themselves a 2-14 record and likely the #2 spot in the 2012 draft (I say “likely” only because the rules of determinism are never suspended, even in situations where inconveniently negative outcomes might result)? Well, they would probably have Robert Griffin III as their quarterback today instead of Christian Ponder/Josh Freeman/Matt Cassel.

Actually, strike that. They would not “probably” have Griffin, they would almost definitely have Griffin. On Tuesday we learned from Griffin himself that the Vikings did indeed plan to scrap the Christian Ponder Experiment in 2012 and draft RG3 had he been available. This despite Ponder at the time being only one year into his tenure as the starting QB.

Mind you, Griffin was never told directly by the team that they planned to draft him. Griffin said during Tuesday’s media conference call ahead of Thursday’s Redskins game that he was informed of the Vikings intentions by a third party. He was told the Vikings “were not going to pass him up” if he fell to #3.

But history did not work out the way so many fans wish it had, and Griffin was snatched up before the Vikes had a chance to draft. They ended up trading down one spot and taking Matt Kalil.

This revelation is of course worthless except as a mildly intriguing historical footnote. I suppose there are some who will derive an “I told you so” satisfaction from it, but in my mind this is just pointless bitterness and dwelling on the past. It’s funny how last year when the team was 10-6 we didn’t hear quite so much griping about what could have been.

This tendency to rehash is really a function of a miserable season. Generating “what if” scenarios is a pastime for the bored and the frustrated. Anything’s better than facing the reality that your team sucks and it’s a waste of time even paying attention anymore.

The only person who should be truly annoyed by this revelation is Christian Ponder. It turns out the Vikings have been trying to better-deal him since way before they acquired Josh Freeman. Must feel great.

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