As the trade deadline came and went, several teams seeking help at running back reached out to the Commanders, according to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports. Despite “significant interest” in running back Antonio Gibson, head coach Ron Rivera reportedly refused to trade him. 
Gibson is currently halfway through his third season in the NFL as well as his third season leading Washington in rushing yards. Gibson came in as a rookie third-round pick out of Memphis and immediately earned the starting job in Washington over Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic. He pieced together an impressive rookie season with 795 rushing yards, averaging 4.68 yards per carry, and 11 touchdowns. A year later, Gibson took the mantle as a bell-cow back for the Football Team, backed up by the likes of McKissic, Jaret Patterson, Jonathan Williams, and Wendell Smallwood. Given over 54% of the carries, Gibson racked up 1,037 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns.
The Commanders then drafted another third-round pick in Alabama running back Brian Robinson. Through camp many expected Robinson to earn the starting job over the more experienced Gibson. Gunshot wounds from an attempted robbery put an end to that discussion, putting Robinson on the non-football injury list to begin his rookie season.
Gibson returned to the starting role to begin the 2022 season. Washington went back to its formula from the year before of splitting snaps between Gibson and McKissic right down the middle but still giving the majority of the carries to Gibson. Robinson made his swift return to the field in Week 5 in a limited role before taking snaps as the lead back the following two weeks.
The entire Commanders’ rushing attack was extremely quiet in a Week 8 win over the Colts last week that saw quarterback Taylor Heinicke and wide receiver Curtis Samuel tie for the team-lead in rushing yards with 29. While the game didn’t appear to be much of a success for Washington’s running backs, it did provide a bit of clarity on how the room shakes out.
Robinson is clearly the power back. He seems to be the first one to have his number called, as well, but he will absolutely be the one used in short-yardage and goal-line situations as well as situations when the Commanders have a lead to protect. Gibson is the primary backup. Not only will he be the first man off the bench when Robinson needs a breather, but he will also be the preferred option on passing plays as an option out of the backfield. McKissic slots in as the third-stringer and a secondary pass catching option with Williams behind him.
Regardless, the news about Rivera’s reaction to calls about Gibson says one of two things: either Rivera is passionate about the role Gibson holds in the Commanders’ future or Rivera still has some question marks about Robinson’s abilities. For now, Gibson remains a Commander, with one year after this season remaining on his contract. Look for whether or not Washington rewards Gibson with an extension this offseason. If so, they clearly have eyes towards his future. If not, they may be planning to wait and see how Robinson develops.
There is something to be said about building a culture. I can’t fault Rivera for not getting rid of a good contributor for what would likely could have been a lower level pick, despite the future potential of picks involved. Washington is in the middle of a long term project (and has been for a while now), and it remains to be seen where it will go. But there is a balance between tangible returns (picks) and intangible value (culture) that rebuilds need. I’ve obviously never done one, so I cannot say how right or wrong this decision was specifically in that regard, but I can see the reasoning Rivera had in not pulling the trigger on what could have been a tangible return.
Fire Ron now! Dude is way over his head and his 3 year record states that empatically.
“A refusal is not the act of a friend” – Don Barzini
I doubt Rivera makes it another year in DC. Especially with the potential sale of the team.
Maybe he can go back to Carolina. They want someone with experience. He’s the guy.
Hell, the Charlotte hornets just fired Borrengo and rehired Clifford who was the coach before Borrego. Let’s keep the trend going in Carolina
As long as Dan is owner, Ron stays until he himself wants out. Ron oversees the FO not vice versa. Another way of putting that is Dan doesn’t have to go through the FO to get to Ron. Was it Ron who refused to trade AG or Dan?
New owner. Yes. Ron is let go.
Gibson has been in the dog house for fumbling, but Ron knows Gibson is critical to getting this team to 7 or 8 wins – which is likely the minimum needed to keep Rivera employed in 2023.
Gibson is a solid contributor at a minimum, can be the main guy if needed and is on a cheap rookie deal. What would be the point of trading him for a lower pick than where you drafted him at?
Got calls on Robinson as well, teams were interested in running him out of the pistol formation.