Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin headed in different directions

ASHBURN, VA. -- Andrew Luck is on pace to pass for more than 5,000 yards this season and join the elite class of NFL quarterbacks.

Whether Robert Griffin III will ever play for the Washington Redskins again is uncertain.

Luck was the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft by the Indianapolis Colts; Griffin went No. 2.

Sunday was setting up as a head-to-head matchup in Indianapolis. But while both had promising rookie seasons, they've since gone in opposite directions.

It will be Luck vs. Colt McCoy Sunday. Griffin will be the backup, Redskins coach Jay Gruden announced Wednesday.

Where does Griffin, 24, go from here? He's in the third year of a four-year, $21.1 million contract with a Redskins option for a fifth year ($16 million). That's No. 2 draft pick money, not backup money. Will Washington trade him?

"He's a very young quarterback. He's had two different systems in three years. He's had a couple of different injuries. I think the expectations for him were a little bit unfair," Gruden said. " … But as far as the future is concerned. We don't know."

The Redskins are 3-8. Gruden said McCoy, who started in an October win over the Dallas Cowboys, gives the team the best chance to win. Gruden gave Griffin the news Tuesday.

"He was very upset. He wanted to have more time and a chance to play himself through this slump," Gruden said.

Does Griffin have a future in Washington?

"I think as a man and a competitor, Robert does have a future in the NFL," Gruden said. " … As far as the future, next year, the year after that, Bruce Allen and myself and Mr. Snyder and the staff will talk about what's in store."

Griffin didn't comment Wednesday. When media members approached him in the locker room, Tony Wyllie, the Redskins senior vice president of communications, said, "No, no, no, no, guys." Asked if that choice was the team's or Griffin's, Wyllie said, "He's not speaking."

This isn't yet in the category of the 1998 draft when Peyton Manning No. 1 to the Colts and eventual bust Ryan Leaf went No. 2 to the San Diego Chargers. But it's pointing in that direction.

To draft Griffin following his Heisman Trophy season at Baylor, the Redskins moved up to No. 2 via a trade with the St. Louis Rams, who got Redskins' first-round draft picks in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Washington won't get anything remotely close if it trades Griffin. Gruden, a first-year coach, said the draft investment didn't factor in his decision. He said Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and owner Daniel Snyder were "on board" with it.

"I want to play the best players, period, no matter who they are," Gruden said.

Luck, who this season has thrown for 3,822 yards and 23touchdowns, was told about Griffin's benching during a teleconference Wednesday.

"I don't think it really concerns me," Luck said. "I think it's a Redskins team thing. For me, it's what Jim Haslett's doing (as Redskins defensive coordinator)."

Does Luck feel for Griffin?

"It's the business of the NFL," Luck said. "I don't think anybody ever feels sorry for anybody that plays in the NFL. … It's a great thing to do to be a professional athlete, to play a kids game for a living."

Before the 2012 draft, NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly had high regard for Luck and Griffin, but Luck was his clear No. 1. Casserly said he considered him the best quarterback prospect coming out since John Elway in 1983. He's upgraded that flattery.

"He's the best young quarterback I've ever seen since 1977 when I started scouting," Casserly said.

Unlike Luck at Stanford, Griffin hadn't played in a pro-style offense at Baylor.

"I liked (Griffin) as a prospect coming out. … I didn't see why he couldn't be good even though he hadn't played in a pro system," Casserly said.

But Griffin has been slow to develop.

"The reality is he has not improved where he is right now, and they're running a different offense. So he's been hurt, he's missed time and you watch him play and at times you almost think he's playing without any confidence,'' Casserly said.

From his Stanford days, Luck has been in ideal situations and free of major injuries.

He was coached at Stanford by Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, now coach and offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. His current offensive coordinator in Indianapolis is Pep Hamilton, who came to the Colts from Stanford.

"Great fundamentals and technique that they coach," Luck said. "I can't say that I had an advantage or a disadvantage over any other person coming out of another system. … But I do know that I felt as prepared as I could have been because of those great coaches."

As a rookie, Griffin led the Redskins to the NFC East title. Running zone read plays, he rushed for 815 yards and seven touchdowns. He passed for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions.

But in a wild-card playoff loss that season to the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, same injury he'd suffered to the same knee as a Baylor sophomore.

Last season, doing less running, Griffin struggled. Former coach Mike Shanahan, who was later fired, sat him the last three games. Griffin called it a "shut down" and not a benching, and focused on preparing for 2014.

Gruden's decision was a benching.

In five games this season, Griffin has two touchdown passes and three interceptions. He's been sacked 20 times. Griffin suffered a dislocated left ankle in the second game of this season and missed six games.

Kirk Cousins started five games in his absence. When Cousins was benched at the half in his last start against Tennessee, McCoy pulled out a win. Then he beat Dallas.

This will be McCoy's 23rd NFL start. He started 21 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2010-2011.

"I know this is a significant decision for our team," McCoy said. " … I'm moving forward. I just want to go out there and play the best I can and help our team as much as I can and try to win some games."

Said Gruden: "I'm prepared to give Colt every opportunity to keep the job. … Right now we're just focused on giving Colt every opportunity to succeed this week, and if he does he'll be the quarterback next week."