Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III has been named the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:29 p.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

For better or for worse, Robert Griffin III will be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback this season.

Griffin taking the starting reins is no surprise, but the Browns made it official Monday morning ahead of the team's first preseason game.

Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson has high praise and lofty expectations for Griffin, a former Heisman Trophy and Rookie of the Year award winner.

"It's time. Robert has earned the right to be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns," Jackson told reporters. "Since he was signed back in March, Robert has made it clear through his actions that he is willing to do everything that has been asked of him to earn this role. Throughout this process he has gained the respect from his teammates, the coaching staff and the entire organization that is necessary for him to lead our offense and really the entire team."

Griffin signed a two-year deal with Cleveland this offseason after being released by the Redskins. Jackson says the 26-year-old already has shown consistent growth as his fifth season approaches:

"Throughout the offseason program and training camp, Robert has shown improvement every day, and we expect him to continue to ascend as he becomes more and more acclimated to the offensive system we will employ this season. I've been crystal clear on what we expect from Robert. He fully understands the responsibility, and I feel he is ready to handle this role."

This means that RGIII will become the latest in what seems to be an endless revolving door of quarterbacks who have had relatively short and unsuccessful stints with the Browns. Time will tell whether he breaks that trend or just becomes the latest victim, but, for now the Cleveland brass seem excited to hand him the reins.

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Robert Griffin III

Cleveland Browns

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