Not long after it was learned the Commanders are prepared to trade running back Brian Robinson, team and player decided he would not play in yesterday’s preseason contest. A parting of ways appears to be forthcoming.
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Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spoke with Robinson on Sunday about sitting him for Monday’s contest against the Bengals. The rest of the team was then informed of the news. Quinn’s latest remarks on the subject do not confirm a trade or release will take place, but they continue to point in that direction.
“It’s just a lot of moving parts,” Quinn said, via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala (subscription required). “This time of year, those things take place and… it’s my responsibility to let the team know whenever I can so they’re not hearing any information from anywhere else.”
Notably, an AFC executive informed Jhabvala the Commanders were prepared to move on from Robinson last offseason. Instead, the first year of the Peters-Quinn regime saw him remain in the fold. Robinson once again handled lead back duties in 2024, setting new career highs in rushing yards (799), touchdowns (seven) and yards per attempt (4.3). A full campaign – the Alabama product has yet to play more than 15 games in a season – along with improved play up front for Washington could bring about an uptick in efficiency and production.
At this point, though, it is increasingly clear Robinson is not on course to spend the coming campaign with the Commanders. The 26-year-old has one season remaining on his rookie pact and is owed a base salary of $3.41MM for 2025. A trade or release would result in that figure being saved against the cap with the team incurring a dead money charge of only $212K.
While moving on from Robinson would thus have notable financial benefits, it would lead to a shift in the Commanders’ backfield. Veteran Austin Ekeler is still in the fold as a pass-catching presence as well as a returner. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and 2023 draftee Chris Rodriguez would assume larger roles in the event Robinson were to be dealt ahead of Week 1.
With roster cuts looming, a number of teams face decisions similar to this one. Nothing is officially in place regarding a Robinson move, but especially considering Washington’s approach to him last year it would come as no surprise if team and player moved on shortly.
Rodriguez had some decent flashes when running the ball but I have a feeling this may be a coaches suggestion. Robinson has talent but may be stirring the culture? Weird timing.
Weird timing? Training camp is when positions are earned.
Yeah that’s what’s weird here…the cap savings are fairly small, they have plenty of cap space as it is, and he’s a solid veteran on early down carries. Why is there so much motivation to get him out of the locker room?
I’ve recently become convinced that this team is being managed poorly but got lucky with the second pick in the draft.
I say send Robinson to Vikings try to get another WR or a sixth rounder.
Vikings already re-upped Aaron Jones and traded for Jordan Mason. I don’t think they think they need another back. And with Addison suspended and Rondale Moore out for the year, I doubt they’re looking to trade a receiver.
Agree. WAS could’ve probably done the same trade SF made earlier in the offseason to MIN, but not seeing it now.
Need is a funny thing though. Depth matters. It’s a looooong season. Addison is only suspended for 3 out of 17 games. Aaron Jones isn’t the same workhorse he was in Green Bay. Mason is a solid RB2 and cheap. Robinson can rotate in to keep them healthy. Vikings make a lot of sense to me
Depth matters at receiver, too. They still have Ty Chandler for running back depth. If they had an injury, that would be one thing, but how many teams want to spend $3.4 million on a third running back?
Who cares
I’m guessing you do, since you presumably took the time to read the article and then post your question.
How’d I do?
Raiders behind Jeanty, Browns while waiting on Judkins situation, Packers , Cowboys, Saints plenty of teams he’s a def upgrade #2
Cowboys could use him, but don’t know if they’d trade with each other. Packers drafted Lloyd to be that guy.
How to Sabotage A Young Quarterback 101:
Foolishly, refuse to pay his top WR because, years down the road, he *might* decline, when they’re unlikely to guarantee him much of the money.
Apparently, prepare to part ways with his lead running back because… ?