The Washington Commanders still haven't traded Brian Robinson Jr., and they're yet to give Nick Chubb a call. Those are signs offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury won't be given a workhorse running back this offseason.
But no matter, because there's still a free agent who could play the James Conner role for the Commanders' play-caller.
Conner became an unlikely and invaluable niche player when Kingsbury signed him for the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. There are similarities between his arrival in the desert and what veteran Gus Edwards would bring to Washington.
Edwards endured an injury-derailed season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, but his work with the Baltimore Ravens fits what Kingsbury likes to do in the backfield. Specifically, his penchant for a committee approach.
Kliff Kingsbury likes diversity in the Commanders' running game
Kingsbury hasn't often favored a true RB1. Rather, he's preferred a horses-for-courses approach. That's how things worked when Conner landed in Arizona.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers bruiser found Chase Edmonds as a competent receiving back, while Eno Benjamin offered speed. What the Cardinals were missing was power between the tackles and somebody to punch it in at the goal-line.
Conner ticked both boxes by pounding his way for 752 rushing yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns in 2021. A look at his statistical splits from that season shows he got the bulk of his carries (64) in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN, when he was used to wear down tiring defenses.
He also did most of his work (69 carries) in the opponent's half of the field. Conner proved automatic by scoring all 15 of his rushing touchdowns from inside the 20-yard line.
Edwards can do the same things as part of the Commanders' depth chart. Incumbents Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are the pass-catchers, while seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be an intriguing steal.
There's room for Edwards to offer a brute force complement more consistently than Robinson does.
Gus Edwards can provide what's missing for the Commanders
Delivering a thump is the core part of Edwards' game. He couldn't do it often enough for the Chargers because of an ankle sprain that sent him to injured reserve, but the 30-year-old is the kind of tough veteran the Commanders are building their roster around.
A look back at what Edwards did for the Ravens in 2023 should tell general manager Adam Peters all he needs to know about the player. He powered in for 13 touchdowns, all from inside the 20-yard line, just like Conner.
The 'Gus Bus' has also averaged over two yards after contact per rushing attempt in all but one season during his career. He's a grinder who bludgeons defenses and doesn't mind operating in an offense where backs split the carries.
Edwards shared the workload with J.K. Dobbins in both Baltimore and Los Angeles, so he wouldn't join the Commanders with any alpha dog ego. Instead, he'd be part of a collective ideally suited to supporting second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The latter's dual-threat skills compare favorably to those of Lamar Jackson, Edwards' quarterback in Baltimore. While the signal-caller and former two-time NFL rushing champion, Derrick Henry, were a deadly double act last season, the Ravens were more effective and went further in 2023 when Edwards, Dobbins, and Justice Hill were taking handoffs.
Kingsbury's smart enough to know Daniels can be another running back, but the real key to his success is multiplicity. Different backs on the field with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year pose different threats to keep defenses guessing.
With Edwards next to No. 5, the game will be guessing whether the Commanders will unleash thunder or lightning. That's got to be worth a one-year, prove-it deal.
