Robert Griffin III’s time as the Redskins starting quarterback is up, but he might not be able to escape the nation’s capital. Even though Kirk Cousins is ahead of him on the depth chart now, head coach Jay Gruden denied the team is shopping the former No. 2 overall pick.

"His future is with the Washington Redskins. There have been no discussions about letting him go or doing any of that stuff," Gruden said to ESPN.

In the wake of his demotion, which would be shocking if not for the frequently reported-on tension that exists between Griffin and Gruden, a social media flap has ensued. Griffin’s Instagram account “liked” a post that bashed the team and ownership and praised the embattled QB. Griffin took to social media to clarify the situation, and “unlike” the post.

Gruden has said Griffin’s future is in Washington, but he hasn’t made clear how far he has fallen on the depth chart at this time. Cousins is the new starting quarterback, but will Colt McCoy or Griffin be the No. 2 QB? At the moment, RGIII has not even passed concussion protocol from the numerous hits he took during a preseason tilt vs. the Lions in which he was hit, hard, nearly every time he dropped back.

Gruden’s comments that the team wants to keep Griffin in the fold may also be a smokescreen to preserve the tatters of his value. He may be close to untradeable thanks to the front office picking up a 2016 option that will pay him $16.12 million. Griffin hasn’t commented publicly on his benching yet, but if he decides he wants out, he does have the option of re-negotiating that figure.

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