Robert Griffin III headed to Redskins’ bench in favor of Colt McCoy

Robert Griffin III was the toast of D.C. just two years ago, leading the Washington Redskins to an unlikely playoff berth and earning himself NFL rookie-of-the-year honors in the process.

But a lot has changed since then. At 3-8, the Redskins aren’t anywhere close to a playoff team. And RG3 is a shadow of the explosive, dynamic quarterback he once was.

So much so that the team is ready to make a move that would have seemed shocking not so long ago. Redskins Coach Jay Gruden will start Colt McCoy over Griffin at quarterback Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to multiple media sources.

Gruden met with the two quarterbacks individually Tuesday night and planned to inform the team of the decision Wednesday morning, the Washington Post is reporting.

The Redskins gave up a lot to take Griffin No. 2 overall in the 2012 draft, sending the Rams three first-round picks and a second-rounder to move up to the spot. The Heisman Trophy winner made it look like a good move in his first year as a pro, passing for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions while rushing for 815 yards and seven touchdowns.

But Griffin tore the ACL in his right knee at the end of that season and really hasn’t looked the same since, going 4-14 as starter in the last two seasons. In an attempt to avoid injury by becoming more of a pocket passer, he has thrown for 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while rushing for 589 yards and no touchdowns in the last two seasons.

Griffin was benched for the final three games of last season by then-coach Mike Shanahan and missed six games this year with a dislocated left ankle.

McCoy, a fifth-year player who has yet to catch on as an NFL quarterback, won both of his starts during Griffin’s absence this year but returned to the sideline when Griffin was deemed ready to go. The Redskins have lost all three games since.

Gruden and some Redskins receivers have been publicly critical of Griffin’s play of late, and fans have been calling for McCoy. According to the Washington Post, Gruden is making the switch this week in hopes of keeping control of the locker room.

Twitter: @chewkiii