CLEVELAND — Despite spending an entire season on Washington’s bench, Robert Griffin III never doubted he’d be a starter again.

His belief became reality Monday, when coach Hue Jackson said “it’s time” to give Griffin the opportunity to lead the Cleveland Browns on the field.

“As long as you don’t give up and you keep working, you’ll get another opportunity,” Griffin said.

Jackson, who chose RG3 following a weekend in which the 26-year-old helped Cleveland’s first-team offense in successful scrimmages, has lofty standards that Griffin will need to meet to keep the job.

“He has gained the respect from his teammates, the coaching staff and the entire organization that is necessary for him to lead our offense,” Jackson said, adding, “We expect him to continue to ascend as he becomes acclimated to the offensive system we will employ.”

Griffin beat out Josh McCown for the starting spot, leaving the 37-year-old’s future with the Browns in doubt.

“It’s an honor to be one of 32 in this league,” Griffin said. “When you get (an opportunity), you got to seize it.”

The fifth-year quarterback completed three long passes to rookie Corey Coleman in the team’s Friday scrimmage, including a deep touchdown toss that impressed veteran cornerback Tramon Williams.

“Some of the balls that he threw today, the location that he put them at, it was amazing,” Williams said Friday. “I told him, I said, `Man, if you throwing the ball like that ... you’re going to throw a lot of touchdowns this year.”’