Austin Ekeler Washington Commanders Update
This week, the Washington Commanders made one of those moves that takes a few minutes and more details to let it sink in. Running Back Brian Robinson Jr. was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With Robinson packing his bags for the West Coast, Austin Ekeler now finds himself in the driver’s seat of what could be one of the NFL’s more intriguing running back situations.
At 30 years old, Ekeler isn’t exactly a spring chicken in NFL years. But if you’ve been watching him play, you know the age of Ekeler is just a number when you’ve got the kind of versatility that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. The former Los Angeles Chargers standout brings a skill set that perfectly complements what the Commanders are trying to build under their current offensive scheme.
Why Austin Ekeler Is Primed For Success in Washington
Ekeler has spent his career proving doubters wrong, and this situation feels like another chapter in that story. Last season, despite dealing with injuries and a changing role in Los Angeles, Ekeler still managed to rack up 733 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in just 12 games. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they tell the story of a player who consistently finds ways to impact games.
The beauty of Ekeler’s game has always been his ability to line up anywhere on the field. He is not your traditional between-the-tackles grinder—though he can certainly handle that workload when needed. Where he truly shines is as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, and that’s exactly what Washington’s offense has been missing.
Think about it from a defensive perspective: you’ve got to account for Ekeler on every snap because he could be taking a handoff, running a route from the slot, or sneaking out of the backfield for a check-down that turns into a 20-yard gain. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NFL.
The Rookie Making Waves: Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s Rise
While Ekeler settles into his role as the veteran presence, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been turning heads faster than you can say “seventh-round steal.” In preseason action against Cincinnati, Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown that showcased exactly why Washington might have found something special. That 27-yard scoring run wasn’t just about speed—it demonstrated the vision and patience that you can’t teach in the classroom.
The timing couldn’t be better for the rookie. With Robinson out of the picture, there’s suddenly a clear path to meaningful snaps in an offense that finished fifth in total yards last season. The Commanders weren’t just throwing the ball around for fun—they ranked third in rushing attempts per game, which means whoever wins the backup role behind Ekeler is going to get plenty of opportunities.
Austin Ekeler’s Strategic Role In Washington’s Offense
Here’s where things get interesting from a strategic standpoint. The Commanders aren’t asking   Ekeler to be the same player he was five years ago. They’re smarter than that. Instead, they’re positioning him as the centerpiece of what could be a really dynamic rushing attack.
Ekeler’s experience becomes invaluable in third-down situations and two-minute drills. He’s the kind of player who can line up wide, motion into the backfield, or stay put and run a route that finds the soft spot in zone coverage. For a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels, having that security blanket could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
The coaching staff has been smart about managing Ekeler’s workload, too. They understand that keeping him fresh means he’ll be more effective in crucial moments. Don’t expect to see him grinding out 25 carries on a Sunday afternoon—that’s not his game anymore, and it doesn’t need to be.
Depth Chart Concerns That Could Impact Performance
After Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt, the Commanders’ running back expectations are reduced. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are battling for backup roles, but neither has shown enough to make anyone feel confident about their ability to step up if needed.
Rodriguez brings some short-yardage and goal-line capability, which fills a specific role. But if either Ekeler or Croskey-Merritt goes down with an injury, Washington could find itself in a real pickle. The other names on the roster—Demetric Felton and Kazmeir Allen—don’t seem to be the answer either, but that is no different than any other NFL team that considers their ship sunk if they were down to RB #3.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Washington’s Season
The Brian Robinson trade signals that Washington is confident in what they have with Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt. It’s not often you see a team trade away a player who rushed for over 800 yards the previous season unless they believe they’ve got something better waiting in the wings.
With Daniels having weapons like Terry McLaurin and the newly acquired Deebo Samuel stretching defenses, the running game could benefit from more favorable matchups. Teams that have to respect Washington’s passing attack can’t stack the box the way they might have in previous seasons.
The interplay between the run and pass games could make this offense more unpredictable than people realize. Ekeler’s versatility fits perfectly into that equation, while Croskey-Merritt’s potential adds another wrinkle that defensive coordinators have to account for.
The Final Word On Washington’s Backfield
Ekeler can outperform expectations when given the right opportunity. His combination of experience, versatility, and proven ability to produce in the passing game makes him a solid option for teams looking for consistency rather than ceiling.
The real wild card here is how quickly Croskey-Merritt develops and how much work he can handle as a rookie. If he continues progressing at his current rate, this could become one of those backfields that give the passing game more leverage as the defense can’t count on shutting down Daniels for the win.
If Washington now gives a commitment to their newly defined running game, combined with what should be an improved offensive line, this sets the stage for both Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt to exceed expectations.
