Over the weekend, it was revealed that the Washington Commanders are entertaining trade offers for running back Brian Robinson. Following these developments, one insider peeled back the curtain on how long the front office has been considering this move.
Robinson is a homegrown product, being drafted in the third round back in 2022. He’s served as one of Washington’s primary backfield options in that time, rushing for over 2,300 yards across his first three seasons. Now, all signs point towards him embarking on a change of scenery before the 2025 campaign gets underway.
Multiple factors can be attributed to Washington making him available via trade, one of them being the Commanders’ loaded running back corps. However, according to one person with inside knowledge, the beginning of the end for Robinson stems back to last season.
Also read: Commanders RB Could Face Shocking Fate Amid Recent Trade Rumors
Radio host details why Commanders put Brian Robinson on the trade block
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images/Getty Images
Following the news that the Commanders are looking to move Robinson, D.C. radio host Chris Russell gave his thoughts on the situation on 106.7 The Fan. He stated that the team has been displeased with his style of play since the end of the 2024 campaign.
“They have been out on Brian Robinson since down the stretch, especially since before that Detroit playoff game,” Russell said. “They were not happy with his aggression and his timid if you will reading of his keys getting uphill…They want him to run downhill with abandon, with a mission, with a purpose, and they thought he was dancing and being too timid down the stretch.”
Russell also noted that the Commanders have been pleased with the way rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt (a.k.a Bill) has attacked the running game since joining the team.
“There is a style that they want,” he continued. “And Bill, so far, has shown that ability to read his keys and hit the hole and hit it hard and go uphill.”
Local radio host Chris Russell shares news surrounding Brian Robinson Jr:
“They have been out on Brian Robinson since down the stretch especially since before that Detroit playoff game…they were not happy with his aggression, his timid reading of his keys getting uphill”
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) August 18, 2025
Also read: NFL Insider Makes Promising Prediction for Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
One thing that could throw a wrench in any potential Robinson trade is that he is on an expiring contract. Teams won’t be willing to part with valuable assets knowing that he could potentially walk in free agency next offseason. This will surely be a roadblock for the Commanders as they attempt to land a suitable return for the dual-threat running back.
Seeing that he was absent from Washington’s preseason game on Monday, it’s very likely Robinson has played his last down for the Commanders.
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