Griffin’s performance, 5-of-8 passing for 20 yards and an interception, was bad enough that Washington legend Joe Theismann on the Redskins Broadcast Network felt the need to stir up a quarterback conversation.

Robert Griffin III (AP Photo)

Via ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Theismann’s comments of course fuel that dialog, if not catalyze it. But is the conversation worth having? First-year Redskins coach Jay Gruden, the opinion that carries the most weight, doesn’t think so.

“He is further along than it appears he is,” Gruden said after the loss. “I think, based on his production today, a lot of people would say he’s not further along.

“He’s got to move on. We’ve got to do a better job of getting in rhythm, get some completions early, get some first downs. We were so bad on first and second down, I think, it kept us in some third down and longs.”

The problem surrounding this “conversation” is we’re counting RG3’s chickens before they hatch. Putting stock in preseason results is pointless, but even long-term concern isn’t yet warranted.

Consider last year’s regular season — you know, the games in which performance actually mattered. Cousins was better when under pressure, but Griffin outperformed his backup for the most part.

Griffin in 2013:

 

Cousins in 2013:

 

We’re being rather impatient about a quarterback adjusting to a new coaching regime. Sean McVay was promoted to offensive coordinator in January to replace fired Kyle Shanahan, and Griffin has a couple new targets. Transitions are to be expected. Just because Cousins might have picked up the offense quicker doesn’t mean he’s the better player.

“Whenever we can get 11 guys working in one direction, we’re going to be something special, and I think that’s something we’ll continue to work on,” Griffin said Saturday night. “We’ll get it fixed by the time Houston comes in.”

That’s when we can engage in conversation — if Griffin’s preseason woes carry into the regular season. Washington opens its 2014 schedule Sept. 7 at Houston.

For now, there are two ways a legitimate Redskins quarterback controversy develops. The first and more likely is the event Griffin again gets injured — based on his sliding habits (or lack there of), the odds aren’t terrible — and Cousins leads Washington to a respectable record.

The other is a reportedly shaky relationship between RG3 and his teammates. Those rumors, if true, present a dynamic you can’t see on film or in the box score.

Contributing: The Associated Press