The Washington Commanders are serious about potentially trading running back Brian Robinson Jr.
PFSN previously wrote about the possibility of Robinson being put on the block because of the emergence of a rookie running back they pilfered in the seventh round.
Why Are the Commanders Sitting Robinson?
Before Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, word leaked that the Commanders and Robinson had come to an understanding regarding his playing status.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports, “Robinson Jr. mutually agrees with Commanders to not play in preseason game against Bengals on Monday amid trade speculation.”
Garafolo: Brian Robinson Jr. mutually agrees with Commanders to not play in preseason game against Bengals on Monday amid trade speculation.
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 18, 2025
None of this should be surprising. Robinson has had strong seasons for the Commanders. He’s rushed for 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns to go with 65 receptions for 587 yards and five scores since 2022. But a young competitor emerged in training camp.
Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been generating a lot of buzz in the Commanders’ training camp. He’s quick, agile, able to cut on a dime, and has quickly shown his ability to carry the rock.
The Washington Commanders are building a strong run game, led by rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who could dominate their backfield for years to come. Watch out! pic.twitter.com/djpggbl8Pd
— Buddy Boy Bets (@Buddyboybets) July 28, 2025
Like Cam Ward, he was a zero-star recruit out of high school. He rushed for 1,253 yards and 14 touchdowns at Alabama State before transferring to New Mexico, where he had his breakout season.
Missing nearly all of 2024 obscures that Croskey-Merritt should fit well in pro-style inside-zone and gap-rushing schemes. He’s not quite a three-down back yet, but he has the strength to center an NFL ground game.
He runs a little upright and tends to hesitate as he works through blocks. He also needs to improve as a receiver, so his counterpart, Austin Ekeler, still has a clear edge on third downs.
Croskey-Merritt isn’t a complete back, but he has shown enough that the Commanders feel comfortable floating their leading rusher on the trade market.
Robinson is in the final year of his contract and is due $8.26 million. The Commanders would love to recoup some value through a trade rather than releasing him outright, even though he would likely only garner a pick somewhere between the fifth and seventh rounds at best.
Potential trade partners include running back-needy teams like the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. The Los Angeles Chargers could be an intriguing option, considering head coach Jim Harbaugh’s obsession with having a large stable of running backs he can turn to throughout the season.
Regardless, Robinson is a talented back who will be wanted.
