Washington Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson is no stranger to adversity. Before the start of his rookie season in 2022, Robinson was shot twice in the leg during an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. After undergoing surgery, it was understandable if there was an extended timeline for Robinson to return to football. It’s even more understandable if Robinson never played again after enduring such an ordeal. Not only did Robinson recover from his injuries, but he also returned to the Commanders, rushing for 797 yards while starting nine of the 12 games he played in during 2022. It’s an amazing comeback story that hasn’t received nearly enough publicity.
Fast forward to 2025. Although Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing with 891 yards in 2024, it’s Robinson that is the heart and soul of Washington’s running game. He led the team in carries with 187 and in rushing touchdowns with eight in 2024. He has been solid, if not spectacular, in the three years he has been in Washington . Robinson is also approaching the last year of his rookie contract, with no talk of a new contract on the horizon. It’s easy to see why Robinson will be poised to put together a solid 2025 season in his efforts to earn a lucrative contract extension.
However, the question in Washington is would Robinson actually be expendable? In addition to Robinson, the Commanders have capable offensive skill position players that can carry the ball and make positive contributions. Daniels’ efficiency in the running game is evident. Reserve running back Austin Ekeler was a key pickup by the Commanders before the 2024 season because of his versatility in the running and passing game. Third year running back Chris Rodriguez has also provided efficiency in limited action, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his career. And let’s not forget the acquisition of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a player who provides extreme versatility either split out wide or even in the backfield as a running back. It’s not out of the question that Samuel’s acquisiton would taken carries away from Robinson. If that happens, then Robinson may need to maximize his value even more when opportunities arise. If he achieves that goal, then a lucrative contract extension could be around the corner.