RGIII: Washington Redskins release QB Robert Griffin III

The Washington Redskins, as expected, released quarterback Robert Griffin III on Monday, according to multiple reports.

The Redskins informed Griffin of their decision on Monday morning.

By releasing Griffin before Wednesday's start of the new league year, the Redskins save $16.155 million. The Redskins had extended Griffin his fifth-year option in April 2015.

The Redskins reportedly held trade discussions with two different teams last week involving RG3.

The 26-year-old Griffin, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft, sat the entire season as Washington's No. 3 quarterback and watched Kirk Cousins take control of the quarterback job with a breakthrough year. Cousins signed the one-year, $19.95 million tender offer from the Redskins, who applied the franchise tag to the pending free agent last week.

After leading the Redskins to the playoffs in his rookie season of 2012, Griffin struggled because of injuries and poor play. He has career totals of 8,097 yards, 40 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.