HEADLINES

Washington Commanders News & Rumors

Shanahan: 49ers Acquired Brian Robinson To Be Christian McCaffrey’s Top Backup

August 24th, 2025 at 9:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the 49ers traded Jordan Mason in March and had changed their backfield makeup behind Christian McCaffrey, the Brian Robinson trade became an about-face of sorts. The All-Pro has a new backup.

Isaac Guerendo is a third-round pick who has three years left on his rookie contract, but the 2024 draftee has seen his role change shortly before the season. Robinson will be the 49ers’ primary backup, Kyle Shanahan said (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman). Shanahan indicated this 49ers regime had been fans of Robinson coming out of Alabama.

The 49ers have been in need of backfield depth for years. The team has regularly lost starters — from Jerick McKinnon to Tevin Coleman to Raheem Mostert to McCaffrey — during Shanahan’s tenure. While McCaffrey stayed healthy after being acquired in 2022 and throughout his Offensive Player of the Year 2023 season, he missed most of 2024. That made the Mason trade somewhat surprising, but the 49ers used a third-round pick on Guerendo — who clocked a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash time at the 2024 Combine.

Guerendo averaged 5.0 yards per carry in 16 games last season but had been battling a shoulder injury for a few weeks in training camp. Robinson, who recovered from gunshot wounds sustained just before his rookie season, had operated as the Commanders’ top running back for most of his rookie contract. But he was a Ron Rivera–Martin Mayhew draftee whom the current regime considered trading last year. The Adam Peters-run team then began shopping him in earnest this month, and after the 49ers and Commanders connected on the Deebo Samuel trade March 1, Robinson will take up Bay Area residency in a deal that sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to Washington.

Adding an important note on the pick, CardsWire’s Howard Balzer specifies it is a conditional selection. The conditions are not known, but it is not guaranteed the Commanders will fetch a sixth for their previous RB1. The 49ers have their own sixth-rounder that year in addition to Minnesota’s thanks to the Mason trade. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes the Commanders will receive the lower of those two selections provided the conditions are met.

Guerendo will also presumably retain a role should McCaffrey go down, but he has been bumped down to the third-string level as a result of the trade. The speed back complementing Robinson’s between-the-tackles work would seemingly be San Francisco’s plan in the even CMC is hurt again, but Robinson will also see a significant role reduction — after 570 carries from 2022-24 — as a result of this trade.

49ers To Acquire RB Brian Robinson From Commanders

August 22nd, 2025 at 10:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Brian Robinson‘s tenure in Washington is coming to an end as expected. The fourth-year running back will spend the coming season in San Francisco.

The 49ers and Commanders agreed to terms on a Robinson trade Friday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A 2026 sixth-round pick will head the other way as a result of the swap. San Francisco had been in the market for a backfield addition, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Efforts to pull off a move have now paid off ahead of roster cutdowns. Washington will retain a portion of Robinson’s 2025 salary ($3.4MM), Garafolo adds.

It recently became clear Washington was looking to move on from Robinson, who did not dress in the team’s second preseason game with a trade looming. The team’s Dan Quinn-Adam Peters regime has been open to a trade since last year, and with a swap now agreed to it will proceed with its other in-house RB options. Washington has veteran Austin Ekeler in the fold along with 2023 draftee Chris Rodriguez and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has enjoyed a strong training camp.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders in rushing last year, and today’s deal indicates he will once again be counted on as a central element of the team’s ground game. Expectations are high after Washington made a surprise run to the NFC title game during Daniels’ rookie campaign. Robinson will not play a role in the team’s efforts to duplicate that success, though.

Racking up 570 carries across his three seasons in the nation’s capital, Robinson was a key figure on offense with the Commanders. The former third-rounder saw his touchdown total and yards per attempt figure increase with each passing campaign. That included eight scores and 4.3 yards per carry in 2024. Instead of retaining Robinson on the final year of his rookie pact, however, Washington will proceed with a less expensive backfield.

The Commanders will recoup draft capital in this swap, something which is needed given the number of veterans on their roster. For the 49ers, meanwhile, today’s deal marks another addition on offense for the 2025 season. A trade was worked out on Wednesday for Skyy Moore, giving San Francisco a healthy receiver option. Moore, like Robinson, is a pending 2026 free agent.

The 49ers have Christian McCaffrey atop the RB depth chart, and all parties involved will aim for a healthier season this time around than 2024. After trading away Jordan Mason, the team was in position to have 2024 fourth-rounder Isaac Guerendo handle backup duties. Now, he and Robinson will compete for playing time in the backfield (although using McCaffrey and Robinson on the field together could be an option, per Garafolo). Robinson’s market will of course be dictated in large part by the level of success he has with his new team.

San Francisco entered Friday with with nearly $49MM in cap space. Taking on Robinson will eat into the figure, and it will be interesting to see how much Washington retained on his pact to finalize the trade. The Commanders, meanwhile, should see partial cap savings and thus add to their roughly $17MM in available funds ahead of cutdowns. As both NFC teams prepare for the campaign in the coming days, they will do so with differences in their backfields.

Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Has Not Resumed Full Practice

August 21st, 2025 at 9:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders took Terry McLaurin off the reserve/did not report list and placed him on the active/PUP list, representing a new phase of this contract squabble. Five days ago, McLaurin came off Washington’s PUP list. The Pro Bowl wide receiver nevertheless remains without a timetable to resume practicing.

At the time McLaurin reported to Commanders camp and began his PUP stay, the ankle injury listed was not viewed as something that would keep him off the field long. An offering from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated McLaurin’s ankle would probably heal rather quickly once a contract was completed. Nearly a week after his activation, however, the disgruntled wideout is not a full participant in practice.

[RELATED: Commanders Do Not Intend To Honor McLaurin’s Trade Request]

McLaurin is in conditioning mode, per ESPN’s John Keim, as he was present for Commanders 11-on-11 work in a hoodie. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala notes McLaurin walked onto the practice field after the workout had started and watched the team drills from the sideline. Although obvious signs of a hold-in are present here, the party line centers on the consistent WR’s conditioning.

“I’m not going to play ‘Where’s Waldo’ moving forward,” Dan Quinn said, via the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore. “Just so we’re clear on that. Terry’s return-to-play format is no different from any of the other players. He’s healthy, which is now a good step to getting closer to being back on the field.

“You’ll see that earlier than later. I don’t have a date circled on a whiteboard in my office. The good news is, we’re getting closer to that, for sure.”

If McLaurin does not return to team drills soon, the seventh-year veteran may need to shift back to a holdout — presuming no deal is finished — as an agreement does not appear imminent. Even if a D.K. Metcalf-level AAV ($33MM) is not necessarily McLaurin’s goal, the Commanders are drawing a hard line on age at an interesting point. They would seem to need McLaurin to realize their potential this season, considering how important he has been on offense since arriving in the 2019 third round. After trekking to an NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years, Washington will run the risk of losing considerable firepower if McLaurin is willing to sit out games.

The Colts navigated a similar situation in 2023, but Jonathan Taylor‘s injury-driven hold-in never involved coming off the active/PUP list. Indianapolis shifted him to the reserve/PUP list while still negotiating to open the season. Taylor played in Week 5 after signing a new deal. With McLaurin being cleared, his options are limited. A hold-in can still be waged, as Brian Burns attempted to briefly in Carolina just before the 2023 season. Burns, though, backed off that stance and played on his fifth-year option.

McLaurin is due a $15.5MM base salary in his contract year, which doubles as an age-30 season. Courtland Sutton finished Broncos negotiations ahead of his age-30 campaign. Sutton carries a similar role in Denver, as the team’s clear-cut WR1, but has inferior statistics to McLaurin. Sutton’s negotiations wrapped at what would be a pay cut ($23MM AAV) for McLaurin, who is tied to the $23.2MM-per-year deal he agreed to in 2022. Thus, Sutton’s deal does not appear a good comp.

The five-time 1,000-yard receiver could continue to apply pressure to the Commanders via a hold-in or resign himself to beginning a contract year. A compromise could emerge between the $30MM-per-year level — where the team is believed to be hesitant to go — and where the Dolphins went for Jaylen Waddle ($28.25MM) last year. If the Commanders are not willing to go there on a medium-term pact, the prospect of McLaurin leaving in free agency — or being an experienced wideout on the franchise tag (a la A.J. Green or Allen Robinson) — would enter the equation.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/25

August 21st, 2025 at 9:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Bruce Harmon

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Out for most of the Panthers’ preseason workouts due to offseason back surgery, Tremble can begin ramping up in earnest for Week 1. A debut on time will be the goal, Dave Canales said Thursday. Tremble re-signed with Carolina on a two-year, $10.5MM deal this offseason.

Brown joined the 49ers after starting 10 Seahawks games from 2023-24. The team had aimed for the former fourth-round pick to play a backup role this season, but he instead has become the corresponding move following the Skyy Moore trade. The team has ex-Colts starter Dallis Flowers and preseason standout Chase Lucas as options, while veteran Fabian Moreau is in the mix as well.

Harris joins the Commanders after starting six Browns games from 2020-24. Harris had signed with the Seahawks last year, before being traded back to Cleveland ahead of Week 1. He ended up on the Browns’ IR list by October. Harris, 26, worked out for the Saints earlier this month. Watson suffered a biceps tear, according to cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. The Browns drafted Watson in the 2024 sixth round; he played 14 games and made one start as a rookie.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/20/25

August 20th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Reverted to IR: T Gareth Warren
  • Waived (with injury settlement): LB Devin Harper

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Waller will now be able to officially return to the field today as he attempts to shake off a year’s worth of retirement. Head coach Mike McDaniel expects him back at practice “very soon,” potentially even this week, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The Bears have landed the services of the veteran Freeman as they deal with absences from D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer. Hankins had gotten the starting nod in the team’s last preseason game for that same reason, and he’ll now hand off that role to Freeman.

Ferguson, the Dolphins’ former long snapper of the past five years, finally gets a job after his release from Miami. The Texans were really liking what they were seeing out of undrafted rookie Austin Brinkman, but a minor, short-team injury will keep him from the team’s final preseason game, requiring at least a short stay from Ferguson.

Commanders Were Willing To Trade RB Brian Robinson In 2024

August 19th, 2025 at 9:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

[RELATED: No Progress On Terry McLaurin Extension Talks]

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.

Commanders, T George Fant Agree To Deal

August 19th, 2025 at 11:04am CST by Adam La Rose

George Fant met with the Commanders last week, and a deal has emerged shortly thereafter. The veteran tackle has agreed to terms with Washington, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.

Fant was limited to just two games last season upon returning to the Seahawks. He had won the right tackle gig in 2024, but a depth spot will be in store this time around. The 33-year-old nevertheless has 75 starts to his name, so he will offer experience at either tackle spot if needed.

Upgrading along the offensive line was a priority for the Commanders this offseason. The team’s most notable move in that respect was the trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The five-time Pro Bowler will handle blindside duties on his third career team, with Brandon Coleman shifting to guard as a result. Tunsil has two years remaining on his pact, although none of his scheduled $21MM salary for 2026 is guaranteed.

A potential left tackle successor was added during the first round of the draft. Josh Conerly Jr. is currently focused on competing for the starting right tackle gig. He and incumbent Andrew Wylie are contesting the position. The runner-up will no doubt be viewed as the primary RT backup for 2025. Fant will also be an option in that respect, though, in addition to offering Washington a fill-in on the blindside.

The former UDFA saw considerable playing time over the course of his first Seahawks tenure as well as his Jets and Texans stints. Fant was contemplating signing with the Titans or Ravens earlier this offseason, but in the absence of an agreement on either front he continued searching for an opportunity. That included a visit with the Buccaneers, a team looking for depth until Tristan Wirfs is healthy. Instead of Tampa Bay, Fant is headed to the nation’s capital.

The Commanders entered Tuesday with nearly $17MM in cap space, and today’s signing will not considerably affect that total. Washington’s offense faces questions with the Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson situations unresolved, but the unit will have veteran depth up front in 2025.

Commanders Shopping RB Brian Robinson

August 18th, 2025 at 2:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

AUGUST 18: A mutual decision between team and player has been made for Robinson not to suit up for tonight’s preseason contest, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. That represents a clear sign a trade is on tap with the Commanders looking to ensure an injury does not occur. This situation remains one to watch closely.

AUGUST 17: The Commanders are open to trading running back Brian Robinson, according to NFL insider 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.

Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin Off PUP List; No Progress On Contract

August 16th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Commanders have activated wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the active/physically unable to perform list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but the move is not an indicator of progress in extension negotiations.

Head coach Dan Quinn said (via NBC4 Sports) that McLaurin’s activation is “definitely separate” from his contract talks. “This is about his getting ready to play,” continued Quinn.

However, McLaurin’s activation did come a day after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury indicated that he wanted his star wide receiver to get back on the practice field as soon as possible.

“Time on task together on the grass is really the only way you can continue to build,” said Kingsbury (via 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen).

McLaurin did not practice on Saturday, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, though that’s not necessarily an indicator of a hold-in. Quinn and Kingsbury both indicated that McLaurin had been spending time with trainers and other medical staff, so he may be going through workouts out of view of the media.

Still, the 29-year-old’s willingness to practice will be a situation worth monitoring over the next week. There is still a “sizable gap” between McLaurin and the Commanders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and the two-time Pro Bowler is “dug in” and “remains frustrated.” Despite his trade request and some interest from other teams, the Commanders still believe that they can get a deal done before the season.

Commanders Sign WR River Cracraft, DB Daryl Worley

August 14th, 2025 at 7:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Daryl Worley has reached an agreement to join a 10th NFL team. The veteran defensive back, whom the Titans turned to as a fill-in starter last season, is joining the Commanders, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

Washington, which also added wide receivers River Cracraft and Mike Strachan (via Jhabvala), is bringing in Worley after a recent workout (h/t KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). Worley, who spent three seasons with the Ravens, will return to the mid-Atlantic region as a Commanders DB option.

None of Worley’s previous stops involved Dan Quinn or GM Adam Peters, though Worley did stop through Dallas in 2020. Worley, 30, has seen action for the Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys, Bills, Lions, Ravens and Titans. This nomadic career also included brief Eagles and Cardinals stopovers.

This is not quite Josh Johnson pace, but the double-digit team club is certainly a milestone in journeyman lore. Perhaps some discussions can commence on this topic, as the quarterback joined the Commanders this offseason.

While Worley (54 starts from 2017-20) found himself a regular Ravens practice squad callup — en route to being a PFR “Minor NFL Transactions” staple in those years — he logged seven starts for the Titans last season. A former cornerback in his regular starter days, Worley has transitioned to safety. He spent most of his Tennessee stint as a free safety or in the box for the struggling team, making 52 tackles, notching a forced fumble intercepting a pass. With Washington, the ex-third-round pick joins Will Harris, Quan Martin, Percy Butler and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves at safety.

Cracraft, 30, served as a minor Dolphins receiving contributor over the past three seasons. Following Mike McDaniel from San Francisco to Miami, Cracraft caught 25 passes for 289 yards and three TDs in Miami from 2022-24. The former UDFA, whose 49ers stint came during Peters’ time in San Francisco, has now seen game action in each of the past seven seasons. He will vie for a backup job with Washington.

Load More Posts