No one can argue that the Atlanta Falcons’ one-two punch of Cooper Rush and Jack Strand at quarterback has not gone well. With Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa both out with injuries, Rush and Strand were forced into duty during Atlanta’s two losses to start the 2026 NFL season.
With QB ratings of 42.5 for Rush and 35.1 for Strand, neither quarterback has done well, which is a major reason why the Falcons have been outscored 54 to 16 in their first two games. Then again, they are Atlanta’s third- and fourth-string quarterbacks for a reason.
So what should a team do when their top two quarterbacks are out with injuries? According to Robert Griffin III, it wouldn’t be a problem if NFL teams would just sign players like… him.
“When Cooper Rush and Jack Strand are stinking it up in Atlanta it makes zero sense that QBs like Cam Newton, Jimmy Garoppolo, Ryan Tannehill and myself aren’t the veteran presence in the room to stabilize teams when their QB goes down. These guys were playing for Carolina today,” Griffin wrote on X.
One fan replied, “It’s politics as to why Cam Newton, and/or yourself aren’t signed to a roster. People care more about perception than reality.”
To which Griffin answered, “Agreed.”
Are players like Robert Griffin III the solution to the bad backup QB issue in the NFL?
For the record, Robert Griffin III is 36-years-old, hasn’t played in the NFL since 2020, and during his final five seasons in the NFL, played in a total of 19 games, throwing three touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Cam Newton is 37-years-old and last played in the NFL in 2021, and Ryan Tannehill is 38 and last played in 2023. At least Jimmy Garoppolo is only 34-years-old. His problem is that over the past three seasons, he played in just 11 games and didn’t throw a single pass in 2025.
So are they really the solution? Many NFL fans certainly don’t think so. In fact, RG3 found himself as the butt of many a joke in the comments of his X post.
“RGIII putting ‘and myself’ after Cam Newton, Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Tannehill is like listing failed restaurant chains and saying ‘Red Lobster, Boston Market, TGI Fridays and my daughter’s Fisher-Price kitchen,'” one fan wrote.
“Like how you snuck yourself in there. Elite ragebaiter,” another fan commented.
“Ok.. I cant believe i have to explain this to a former NFL qb. Its called a salary cap? You know those qbs you mention cost money Robert. Does a team want to waste money on one of those quarterbacks and lose just the same? No,” read another comment.
RG3 slipping himself in that lineup pic.twitter.com/5UmidINsHS
— Mike Wolfe (@NFLMikeWolfe) September 20, 2026
“And myself” pic.twitter.com/yVQsyj8y1r
— depressed falcons fan (@J4trimmm) September 20, 2026
“And myself” pic.twitter.com/PzNrgmXw8V
— Ry (@RynVader) September 21, 2026
“myself” pic.twitter.com/pmiFDZSc00
— H (@Harrymg773) September 20, 2026
We saw you trying to sneak yourself in there pic.twitter.com/dagLbjgHwR
— Jake Pendzimas (@StyleBoy4Lyfe) September 20, 2026