The Commanders are open to trading running back Brian Robinson, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Robinson, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was a consistent but unspectacular ballcarrier in his first three seasons, recording between 700 and 800 rushing yards in each of the last three seasons with 20 total touchdowns. In 2024, Robinson put up career-highs in 2024 as a rusher (799 yards, eight touchdowns), but veteran signing Austin Ekeler ate into his passing-down snap share.
Robinson is currently listed as the Commanders’ starting running back on the team’s unofficial depth chart, so their willingness to trade him suggests a few things.
First, with Robinson entering a contract year, he may be seeking an extension without mutual interest from Washington’s front office. Two running backs from his draft class – James Cook and Kyren Williams – recently signed second contracts with the teams that drafted them. Cook, who statistically outpaces Robinson by a significant margin, received $11.5MM per year with $30MM in total guarantees. Williams is more comparable and signed for $11MM per year with $23MM in total guarantees. As a result, Robinson could be seeking upwards of $10MM per year and $20MM in guaranteed money. The Commanders could have concerns about his pedestrian rushing efficiency (4.1 career yards per carry) and may want to recoup some value in a trade rather than meeting his demands.
Placing Robinson on the trade block also indicates that the Commanders are confident in the other running backs on their roster. Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, and Jeremy McNichols were all more efficient than Robinson last year, albeit on smaller sample sizes. Preseason hype has also been building around seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who could make the 53-man roster and compete for a role in the backfield.
However, a trade seems unlikely to come together this close to the regular season. The Commanders could re-bait the hook closer to the trade deadline, by which time injuries could increase teams’ need for backfield depth.
Uhmmm WHAT?!?
800 yards as the Starting RB who averaged 4.3 yards a carry?
Those are fine but not amazing numbers?
So they take one step forward last season and now, between Terry and Brian, want to take three steps backwards?
wow
It will probably be a good thing long term for them. Daniels is just getting started.
He’s a mid RB. When the old regime drafted him, they had delusions of gradneur for him to be one of those bell cow backs, which is what led Gibson out of town. He’s been slightly above JAG. If you don’t see him in your long term plans, makes sense to see what you can get for him at this high point for his value. He’s never going to bea 1200 yard back, but he can be a good piece in an RBC like the Detroit setup with a more explosive player in front of him.
I say trade him to Patriots for Stevenson and give up a sixth. Good business
They’re basically the same guy production wise except Stevenson has a fumbling problem. I think they’d want a pick. The question is who did they draft this year that they think can take over his role? I didn’t follow it that closely.
Thought he was pretty good in Playoffs versus the Buccaneers
Trading your current starter and future back because you don’t want to pay him?
I’d LOVE to sign with this organization!