For this quarterback, it all started with fanfare, excitement and an eye toward the future. But injuries derailed that promise. By year three, if the media wasn't throwing around the word "bust," the fanbase was willing to do it.

Sound familiar? If you're a fading fan of Robert Griffin III, it should.

But look through the lens of history, and you might be surprised. We could be talking about Drew Brees. Or Alex Smith. Or Aaron Rodgers. Much like Griffin this season, that trio of very successful NFL quarterbacks finished their third season in the league under some significant doubts.

Lest anyone forget, Brees was so bad in his first three years that former San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith drafted Eli Manning and then traded Manning for Philip Rivers. All with the aim of supplanting Brees by the start of the following training camp. Rodgers? He sat behind Brett Favre in Green Bay, struggled with injuries and development, and crashed in preseason opportunities. It took Favre's ugly (and premature) retirement in 2008 to get Rodgers a starting nod that he arguably had not earned. And Smith was dogged with injuries and inconsistency, ending his third year with a shoulder injury. Heading into year four, he was told he'd have to compete for the starting job – and wasn't considered likely to beat out onetime World League quarterback Shaun Hill.

This isn't meant to liken Griffin to any of those players. But in the midst of frustration in Washington, it's worth noting that some of the greatest quarterbacks in league history hit walls in the first three years of their careers. Imagine if the Packers had grown impatient with Rodgers' medical issues and slow development, and cut him loose. It would have been a franchise-sinking decision. Or imagine if Rivers hadn't held out as a rookie and took the starting job from Brees. There's no telling how it would have changed Brees' historic career.

It's food for thought for the fans who can't seem to wait for Griffin to be tossed overboard this season. Despite much speculation, that's not going to happen. Here are five reasons why:

1. Cutting or trading Griffin isn't the plan

For all the doomsday media reports, sniping leaks and criticism from the head coach, we've yet to hear anything definitive from the only voice that matters – team owner Daniel Snyder. Instead, we've heard anonymous sources alleging that Griffin had lost the locker room, or was too focused on being a brand or simply wasn't a very good quarterback anymore. And as often happens, that snowballed into speculation that this would be Griffin's last season in Washington.

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He was benched, openly criticized by coach Jay Gruden and undercut by anonymous teammates. The common thought was, "Well, that's it. He's done." But why demote Griffin to No. 2 on the depth chart, where he is only an injury away from starting again? Why not drop him to the bottom, where he would be basically deactivated? Gruden did it to Kirk Cousins. That kind of move signals some finality in a season. The fact that Gruden didn't completely bury Griffin suggests that something else is going on. Someone wants Griffin within striking distance of starting again. Maybe Gruden. Maybe Snyder. Maybe both.

A few things are clear. First, Griffin's confidence is shot. Second, it was likely a mistake to bring him back from his ankle injury this season. He looked tentative immediately, maybe even scared in the pocket. All of which manifests in what former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley showed the world in a widely circulated film session: Griffin missing reads and thinking more about defenders than his own job. Which resulted in more lost confidence.

In response, Washington could have let Griffin run himself into the ground the rest of the season. Or it could throw some healthy adversity at him – by sitting him down, saying publicly what he needed to do to improve, removing the pressure of remaining the starter as he got his mind right. Which is what this is all about. It's about pressing the reset button until he's mentally and physically ready to play again.

2. Griffin's problems are fixable

First, the locker room issues. He's been labeled as reclusive and selfish, a loner who is more worried about his brand than his craft. But let's be real. A quarterback who wins on the field can win any locker room. Griffin may be isolated, but how often is Tom Brady hanging with the fellas outside of practice? Not a lot. Peyton Manning? Less than Brady. Meanwhile, Brady does cameos on TV and runs the red carpet circuit with his supermodel wife. And Manning has become the most iconic pitch man in the sport. They are two of the biggest brands out there.

They aren't ripped for it because they win. Because they are obsessed with their craft. That is why none of this brand stuff was a problem when Griffin was setting the league on fire as a rookie. But as soon as he began slipping, everything he did became another reason to roast him.

View photos Dents remain in RG3's game since suffering a knee injury in 2013. (Getty Images) More

As for Griffin's other problems, they are all tied together – injuries led to poor play, poor play led to confidence problems and confidence problems led to more poor play. There's no doubt that Griffin's knee injury screwed up his mental game. It made him cautious (a common issue with knee injuries in the NFL). That apprehension killed his effectiveness as a runner, and led to more dinking and dunking. All of which stifled the offense. And when he tried to push the envelope again, he dislocated his ankle.

Which hints at what is happening now. For the first time in his NFL career Griffin is being given some tough love along with a seat on the bench. Gruden has dealt him constructive criticism and deprived him of the starting position he wants. That has resulted in a few extra weeks to get healthy and some pressure-free time to work on his mechanics. Meanwhile, Colt McCoy is absorbing punishment and losing the luster that came with him being the next man through the turnstile.

3. Griffin is still cheap

A lot has been made about contract pressure for the Redskins. Griffin will make $3.26 million in 2015, and if Washington picks up his option for 2016, it'll have to make the decision this offseason and will be on the hook for a final year between $16 million to $19 million. But that's a lot of consternation for nothing.

If Griffin has a big 2015, the Redskins will move to extend him anyway. So either choice can work – decline the option and pay Griffin if he puts it back together in 2015 or pick up the option and dedicate what will amount to around $20 million for the next two seasons to making sure a long-term deal is the right call. With the salary cap expected to jump at least $15 million next season, there is flexibility to go either way.

4. Griffin is not the only player struggling on offense

While Griffin's performance has been less than ideal, the coaching staff likely recognizes that the offense has plenty of problems beyond Griffin. Running back Alfred Morris is in his second straight year of declining numbers. Some will say that's due to Griffin's struggles, but it's a symbiotic relationship. One player thriving helps another. But Morris has been solid yet unspectacular with all three quarterbacks this season.

As for the offensive line, it was entertaining to watch Cooley's film session suggest how difficult Griffin made life for his blockers. While there is plenty of value in what Cooley said, the reality is the offensive line as a unit has been poor this season. Even Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams has had a tough season, with both injuries and ineffectiveness. Put on tape of the St. Louis Rams loss. It was just plain bad for Williams and the offensive line. The coaches can't forget that when they analyze why Griffin seems to play scared at times.

5. All the other quarterback options for 2015 are a gamble

This might be the most important point to consider. Who are the other options out there? The Redskins could take another shot at Cousins, but that seems highly unlikely considering his turnover implosions.

McCoy? Again, put on the tape of the Rams loss. He played every bit as poorly as Griffin on his worst days. He is also 28 and hasn't managed to lock down a starting job despite some good opportunities. A veteran free agent like Cleveland's Brian Hoyer? He'll be looking for a long-term contract, and the Houston Texans could be bidders considering head coach Bill O'Brien overlapped with him when they were both with the New England Patriots.

The draft? Washington will likely end up with a top-five pick and may have a shot at Florida State's Jameis Winston or Oregon's Marcus Mariota. But that means a total reboot at the position, potentially behind a still-poor offensive line. And both would come with issues. The offense would have to change to suit Mariota's playing style. Meanwhile, Winston has an overwhelming number of character questions, and Washington already has more than enough issues when it comes to public relations.

Considering these five realities, Griffin will be in Washington in 2015 – likely without the 2016 option. And frankly, that's the most ideal scenario for both sides. Washington will be putting Griffin on the spot in a contract year, and Griffin will have the opportunity to redeem himself and reach for that big second contract.