RG3 returning to NFL after impressive 40-yard dash time?

Robert Griffin III could be back in the NFL soon. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III returning to NFL after impressive 40-yard dash time?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/4/22

Robert Griffin III teased a return to the NFL stage this week when a report surfaced that he ran a 40-yard dash at Rich Eisen's charity event and showed he's still in top form.

The former second overall draft pick told Eisen he started getting phone calls from NFL executives after the time — a cool 4.48 — was made public.

When you run a 4.48 40-yard dash, even if for charity and #RunRichRun, people take notice — @RGIII talked with us about it and how he's gotten phone calls from #NFL execs about a possible return and where he'd like to go:#DallasCowboys #DirtyBirds #GoBears pic.twitter.com/kpsdiRAZMc
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 3, 2022

RGIII hasn't played in the NFL since December 2020, serving as a college football and NFL analyst for ESPN in the interim. It has been pointed out that his TV contract would allow him to play again, further stoking rumors he could be returning to the game.

Free agent QB Robert Griffin III said he got calls from NFL teams after he ran a 4.48 40 yard dash at @richeisen’s charity event@RGIII is currently a CFB analyst for ESPN, but his deal allows him to return to the NFL at any time

RG3 Coming back
— NFL News (@Nfl__Newss) May 4, 2022

The former Heisman Trophy winner left the gridiron after eight years in the NFL, last serving as Lamar Jackson's backup on the Baltimore Ravens. Griffin never found the same success at the pro level that he did in college, and a mix of injuries and seasons spent on subpar teams eventually pushed him toward a TV career.

After getting so much attention for that 40-yard dash time, though, it sounds like Griffin is ready to give the NFL another shot.

"I'm a young guy, 32 years old," Griffin told Eisen. "We see guys like Tom Brady playing until they're 45. Now he's got seven Super Bowl rings, so that kind of plays into that, and I don't have any. But the desire to play is still there and you know, I've just been blessed that ESPN has given me an opportunity to do what I've done for the past eight months in the broadcast world while also understanding that I still have a desire to play."

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