Robert Griffin III Urges Michigan To Keep Bryce Underwood Starting

Michigan football is evaluating quarterback Bryce Underwood's role after offensive struggles, and former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III urged the Wolverines on October 8, 2026, to keep developing Underwood instead of benching him during the team's bye week.

According to Wolverines Wire, Michigan has lost two straight games and the offense has become the focus of criticism. The discussion has centered on whether Underwood should remain the starter or give way to Tommy Carr or Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.

Griffin, a former quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst, argued that Michigan's approach should focus on maximizing Underwood's passing ability rather than changing quarterbacks.

"Benching Bryce Underwood would be Michigan's biggest mistake. If Michigan wants to throw away their season, I've got the perfect plan. Bench Bryce Underwood.

OK, seriously, because apparently, the solution to failing your quarterback is to punish your quarterback for being failed. I am not defending bad quarterback play. Bryce Underwood has not played great this season.

I'm asking, why is the quarterback playing so badly? Michigan reportedly committed around $12 million dollars over four years in NIL money to secure Bryce Underwood. You didn't make that investment because Bryce Underwood was a finished product.

You made it because of his ability and where you thought he could go. Arm talent, vertical passing ability, the ability to attack the entire field with his arm first and then his legs second. And then Michigan decided to hire Kyle Whittingham, who is a tremendous football coach.

I am not taking that away from him. But a coach whose identity has always been defense, physicality, running the football, and complementary football. All right, there is nothing wrong with that philosophy.

Unless you take your most valuable offensive asset and try to force him into a system that doesn't maximize what he does best," Griffin said.

Griffin said Michigan should adjust its offensive design around Underwood's strengths. He pointed to passing concepts, play action and designed opportunities that allow the quarterback to use his arm.

Griffin also compared Underwood's skill set with Devon Dampier, whose rushing production at New Mexico was highlighted by Griffin. The analyst said Michigan should not try to recreate that style with Underwood.

"Well, they have to stop trying to make Bryce Underwood into Devon Dampier. Listen to me, Devon Dampier ran for 1,166 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, and averaged seven and a half yards a carry in 2024 at New Mexico with offensive coordinator Jason Beck. All right, that's not a quarterback who can run.

That's a quarterback whose legs are a foundational piece of your offense. Bryce Underwood is not Devon Dampier. Bryce can move.

Bryce can use his legs. He can create with them. But his superpower has always been his arm.

Build the offense around that. Move the launch point because it creates throwing windows, not because you're trying to manufacture quarterback carries. Use play action.

Give him defined vertical reads. Create deep over opportunities. Attack outside the numbers.

Use RPOs that punish loaded boxes. Let him throw himself in the rhythm. And most importantly, let Bryce Underwood become the best version of Bryce Underwood.

If you wanted Devon Dampier, you should have brought him with you from Utah. Michigan doesn't need a quarterback. Doesn't need a new quarterback.

It needs to figure out the quarterback that it already has. And this is why they reached out to me years ago. Was it two years ago?

Two years ago. To be Bryce Underwood's quarterback coach. That's right.

Michigan offered me a job to be Bryce Underwood's quarterback coach. And I turned it down because I love what I'm doing here with you and calling games and having a good time. But at the same time, he needs to be developed.

And he's not being developed right now. They're trying to force a round peg into a square hole. And they've got to do a better job of supporting him and what he does well.

You got a bye a week to figure it out. But benching your quarterback is not the answer," Griffin said.

Michigan has its bye week to address offensive issues before returning to action. According to Wolverines Wire, the Wolverines are scheduled to host Penn State next Saturday, with both teams entering at 3-2.