While it seems like the Washington Commanders still have faith in fourth year running back Brian Robinson Jr. because he’s still listed at the top of the depth chart, it might be something else entirely that’s kept him there.
At this point, it seems more like apathy.
Despite Robinson’s struggles to show he can be an elite NFL running back, yet again, in 2024, the Commanders displayed an utter disregard for improving the position in the offseason. Which means they’re likely rolling the dice on star quarterback Jayden Daniels carrying the running game again in 2025.
The Commanders’ faith in Robinson and inability to sign a free agent running back this offseason came more into focus this week when the last 2 serviceable running backs still available both signed with teams — J.K. Dobbins with the Denver Broncos and Nick Chubb with the Houston Texans.
If Washington struggles running the ball this year, or God forbid Daniels gets hurt running the ball like he did last year, then the Commanders will have no one but themselves to blame for their failure to take action.
Commanders Shouldn’t Just Add RB for RB’s Sake
The knee jerk reaction at this point would probably be to try and sign one of the free agent running backs still available. That might be a mistake because it doesn’t really improve anything at the position by bringing another average player into the mix.
The best of that free agent bunch right now is probably former Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams.
In 2022, Williams rushed for over 1,000 yards and led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns with the Lions. He signed a 2-year, $12 million contract with the Saints in March 2023 and has spent the last 2 seasons playing behind superstar Alvin Kamara — a stretch in which Williams has just 470 total rushing yards and 2 touchdowns and averaged just over 3.0 yards per carry.
What’s even weirder is Williams doesn’t have a great excuse for his dropoff besides being a backup. Dobbins and Chubb have both actually dealt with catastrophic knee injuries to account for their struggles. Williams did turn 30 years old in April, but even that doesn’t seem like it should be that much of a factor.
Robinson No Longer Considered Elite RB Option
Robinson wasn’t terrible in 2024 by any means. He was just really average and missed 3 games with due to injury as Daniels took over the offense, set the NFL single season rookie quarterback rushing record and turned the Commanders into Super Bowl contenders as a rookie.
It’s a far cry from where Robinson found himself one year ago, when he was still being projected as a player who could eventually get Top 10 running back money.
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti listed Robinson among his list of NFL running backs who could potential reset the market in the 2025 cycle with a lucrative extension.
That extension never came to pass, and the Commanders now seem totally fine letting Robinson play out the final season of his 4-year, $6.9 million rookie contract.
“James Conner, Najee Harris, Aaron Jones, & J.K. Dobbins lead the pending free agent class, while Kyren Williams, Brian Robinson, & Kenneth Walker can be considered early extension candidates,” Ginnitti wrote on November 12, 2024.
