Former players often find their way back to the game after their careers end. Some go into broadcasting, others into front offices, and a few return to the sideline as coaches. The path is not always predictable, especially for players who built second careers in media. One former Browns quarterback could be about to make one of the more surprising jumps in college football.
On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Baylor is expected to interview Robert Griffin III for its head coaching job.
“NEW: Baylor is expected to interview Robert Griffin III for its head coaching job, @PeteNakos reports. Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in 2011,” On3 wrote.
NEW: Baylor is expected to interview Robert Griffin III for its head coaching job, @PeteNakos reports.
Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in 2011. https://t.co/ttgeB3Cvjk pic.twitter.com/7XIBPjtFv4
— On3 (@On3) November 13, 2026
The connection to Baylor is obvious. Griffin became a star in Waco, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2011 and helping put the program on the national map. He is still one of the most celebrated players in school history, and that kind of tie can carry a lot of weight in a coaching search.
His NFL career started just as brightly. Washington took him 2nd overall in 2012, and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions with a 102.4 passer rating. He made the Pro Bowl and led Washington to a 9-6 record in his starts.
Injuries changed everything after that. Griffin never recaptured that rookie form, and he spent his last 3 seasons in Washington fighting for his health and his job.
That led him to Cleveland in 2016. Griffin started 5 games for the Browns that season and went 1-4, throwing for 886 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His lone win came during a 1-15 season, one of the most difficult years in franchise history. He later spent 3 seasons as a backup with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring.
Griffin finished his career with 9,271 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 56 games. Since then, he has become a prominent voice in football media through broadcasting and his Outta Pocket podcast.
He has stayed connected to Cleveland, too. Just this week, Griffin argued that Shedeur Sanders should be the Browns’ starting quarterback after Sanders’ strong outing in New Orleans, saying Sanders gives the offense explosive plays that Deshaun Watson has not.
Moving into coaching would be a big change. Griffin has been out of the NFL since 2020, and running a Power 4 program involves recruiting, staff management and much more than game planning. Still, his name recognition and connection to the school could make him an appealing candidate for Baylor.
Browns fans will be watching to see whether a familiar name ends up on a college sideline.
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