Washington Commanders Reportedly Shopping Star Running Back

Just when you thought the Washington Commanders couldn’t make any more head-scratching decisions, they have gone and decided to shop Brian Robinson Jr. around the league.

According to FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are actively shopping their workhorse running back to teams across the NFL. The same Robinson Jr. who got shot before his rookie year and still managed to come back and rush for over 2,300 yards while scoring 20 touchdowns across three seasons. How will this situation resolve itself?

The Commanders’ Questionable Logic Behind Trading Robinson

The Commanders apparently like their running back depth enough to consider parting ways with Robinson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Robinson, now 26, has been nothing short of reliable for Washington. Last season alone, he posted career-high numbers with 799 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 20 receptions. He has been the team’s most consistent offensive weapon not named Jayden Daniels, and now they are ready to ship him off for “the right price.”

What exactly constitutes the “right price” for a running back who overcame a life-threatening situation to become your primary ball carrier?

A Remarkable Journey Makes This Move Even More Puzzling

Robinson’s backstory reads like something out of a sports movie. The Alabama product was shot in an attempted carjacking before his rookie season, spent months recovering, and then came back to rush for over 700 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons.

Robinson has accumulated 2,329 rushing yards on 4.1 yards per carry while averaging 56.8 yards per game throughout his career. His total production expands to 2,916 scrimmage yards with 65 receptions for 587 yards. These are not flashy numbers that will win you fantasy leagues, but they represent the kind of steady, dependable production that actual football teams need to win games.

The Commanders’ Running Back Depth Chart Isn’t as Deep as They Think

Washington’s confidence in its backfield depth is based on having Austin Ekeler as a backup. Then there’s Jeremy McNichols with his whopping 261 rushing yards and Chris Rodriguez with 173 rushing yards.

Let’s not forget about Croskey-Merritt, who was selected in the seventh round and has impressed enough in training camp to make the Commanders think they can afford to trade away their most productive running back. The logic here is about as sound as using a paper umbrella in a thunderstorm. The Commanders are essentially saying they would rather roll the dice on unproven talent than invest in a guy who has already proven he can handle the workload at the NFL level.

Potential Landing Spots For Robinson

If the Commanders are determined to make this move, at least Robinson should land somewhere that appreciates what he brings to the table. The Los Angeles Chargers have been mentioned as a potential destination, especially with questions surrounding Najee Harris after his offseason eye injury. While first-round pick Omarion Hampton is viewed as the future in Los Angeles, Robinson could provide that veteran stability they need.

The Dallas Cowboys represent another intriguing possibility, though trading within the division would be peak Commanders dysfunction. Dallas currently has Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue. The group has been criticized as one of the weaker running back units in the league. The Commanders back would immediately upgrade their backfield.

Even the Kansas City Chiefs have been floated as a potential suitor, where Robinson could complement Isiah Pacheco and provide more consistency to their ground game. At least with Kansas City, Robinson would have a legitimate shot at winning something meaningful.

The Bigger Picture

This potential trade represents everything wrong with how the Commanders have been run for years. Here is a player who embodies everything you want in a professional athlete: resilience, consistency, and loyalty, and they are ready to ship him out the door to save a few bucks.

Robinson has been through more adversity than most players will face in their entire careers, yet he’s continued to show up and produce at a high level. He’s never been a diva, never complained about touches, and has consistently done whatever the team has asked of him.

The fact that Washington is shopping Robinson now, entering what should be his prime years, shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to build and maintain a successful football team. You don’t just throw away proven production because you think you might have found something better in training camp. As the Commanders prepare for their second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, maybe they should focus less on shopping their reliable veterans and more on figuring out how to win football games.