Brian Robinson has been a key part of the Washington Commanders’ rushing attack since the team selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That could change ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the Commanders are ‘shopping’ Robinson to teams around the league.
Robinson (6-1, 228 pounds) is coming off a season that saw him post career-highs in rushing yards (799), rushing touchdowns (8) and yards per carry (4.3). The big-bodied bruiser served as the leader of Washington’s backfield-by-committee approach, which also featured Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Commanders retained all four of those backs for 2025 and also added seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt to the mix. Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, worth a base value of just over $3.4 million, so Washington might be attempting to trade him to thin a crowded running back room and retain value for the free agent-to-be.
Will the Commanders be able to find a taker for Robinson? Here’s a look at a few teams that could hold interest in the 26-year-old running back.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have a great lead back in Christian McCaffrey, but they could use depth behind the 29-year-old star. Projected backup Isaac Guerendo and fifth-round rookie Jordan James are both dealing with injuries that could impact their early season availability.
Robinson’s mix of size and power would complement McCaffrey – a more elusive runner – well. Commanders general manager Adam Peters also used to work in the 49ers’ front office, so perhaps that could help get a deal done.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are projected to rely on a committee of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders at running back early in the season. The two combined for 718 yards and six touchdowns on 194 carries last season; by comparison, Robinson totaled 799 yards and eight touchdowns himself on 187 carries.
As such, Robinson would represent a big upgrade for the Cowboys. But would Washington be willing to trade one of its leading rushers to a divisional rival? The Commanders would probably like to send Robinson somewhere else if they trade him, but if Dallas has the best offer, they could consider it.
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon’s status for Week 1 is uncertain as he deals with a foot injury. Houston signed Nick Chubb in free agency, but it isn’t clear whether he will be able to handle a full workload as he continues to come back from a catastrophic knee injury that limited him to a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry last season.
The Texans could rely on Dameon Pierce and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks to help support Chubb, but acquiring a proven runner to support C.J. Stroud might be the better move.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl last season despite Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaging 3.7 and 3.6 yards per carry, respectively, during the season. Pacheco might bounce back as he gets further removed from a broken leg, but adding Robinson as insurance wouldn’t be a bad move for the Chiefs.
Robinson’s hard-nosed running style would fit the mold the Chiefs have sought in running backs in recent seasons. He’s also bigger than both Pacheco and Hunt and could help keep the more explosive Pacheco fresh as part of a rotation.
Los Angeles Chargers
Is Najee Harris healthy after he suffered an eye injury in a fireworks accident? Are Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman willing to trust Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins to play in tandem with first-round rookie Omarion Hampton until Harris can return?
If the answer to either of those questions is no, the Chargers might look to add a veteran running back to provide extra depth in their run-heavy offense. Robinson would be a great, like-for-like replacement for his former Alabama teammate Harris and could allow Los Angeles to slow-play the 2021 first-round pick’s return.