Robert Griffin III is proving that absence does make the heart grow fonder --- which is unfortunate for Colin Kaepernick.

That could explain how Griffin seemingly has jumped over Kaepernick in the Cleveland Browns' search for a free-agent quarterback.

Cleveland Browns Want Colin Kaepernick To Take $5 Million Pay Cut

Browns coach Hue Jackson reflected on his meeting with Griffin last week, according to Fox Sports.

Jackson came away impressed.

Colin Kaepernick Could Be Headed Down Same Path As Robert Griffin III

"In the National Football League, you have to keep growing, I don't care what the situation is. You have to continue to grow," Jackson said during the AFC coaches' breakfast at the annual NFL meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., according to Fox Sports. "And in order to grow, you have to admit you made mistakes along the way and there are some things you can do and fix.

"I think he's in a great place right now, I think he wants to play, I think he understands he's talented enough to play but I think he knows there's some things he needs to fix. I think he's willing to do that, I think he knows there are some things he could've done better. And I think he wants to take on whatever challenge lies ahead, however it unfolds for him."

Jackson said that he wanted to find out whether Griffin understood his role in his demise with the Washington Redskins.

"Absolutely, you have to be (humble), you have to have a side to you that says, 'Look, it's not them. It's about me, too,'" Jackson said. "That goes a long way with me. I don't know what a lot of other people want. Because until that happens, can you start to rebuild if you still think it's about them?

"You're kind of walking with that guck on you. That doesn't come off as fast."

Griffin also is part of the picture in the Denver Broncos' search for a replacement for Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, ESPN reported.

"[Griffin] is one of the free guys out there," (coach Gary) Kubiak said. "... He's obviously been part of the conversation. We'll see what happens; he's a talented young man.

"He's very athletic, moves around ... another player who's played in some big games," Kubiak said. "Obviously he hasn't played much in the last year and a half ... but he's still young, very young kid, all those things he's got working for him.

Teams can't comment on Kaepernick because he's still under contract with the 49ers and will make $11.9 million if he's on the roster on April 1.

But there have been no reports of Kaepernick accepting responsibility for his role in his losing the starting job to Blaine Gabbert in San Francisco. He has a more recent sample of his play than Griffin, and that sample showed a continuation of regression from his strong play in 2012 and 2013.

And Griffin likely would be cheaper to sign, even if the 49ers release Kaepernick before April 1. Kaepernick still could end up with the Broncos, only if the Browns get RG3 first and the 49ers lower their asking price for their quarterback or release him.

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