Brian Robinson Jr. is on his way out of the Washington Commanders sooner rather than later. The running back wasn't risked by the franchise against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was reportedly a mutual decision to reduce the risk of complications in pursuit of finding a willing trade partner.
The Commanders felt Robinson wasn't part of their long-term strategy, and they decided to end this experiment ahead of time rather than letting things drag out. It's a blow to the player, but it's all part of Adam Peters' ruthless roster construction to get Washington among the perennial contenders.
It's early days, but it appears as if the Commanders may have found their replacement for Robinson without even trying.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. could finally get his chance to shine in prominent Commanders role
All the hype centered on seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt after the Robinson news became public knowledge. He's come of age much sooner than expected this summer, leaving the Commanders brimming with confidence about his outlook in 2025 and beyond.
However, one cannot overstate how beneficial this could be for Chris Rodriguez Jr. The former sixth-round selection got a new deal from the Commanders this offseason. That didn't come with any guarantees, but he's built on some newly acquired momentum to impose his will over preparations for the upcoming campaign.
The Commanders gave Rodriguez the start alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels in the backfield on Monday Night Football against the Bengals. He made the most of it almost immediately, breaking off a fantastic 40-yard gain to get fans on their feet. This was the sort of explosive play that Washington didn't think Robinson was capable of.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. gets loose for the big gain!
— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2025
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Rodriguez eventually finished with 62 rushing yards from just six carries before getting the rest of the night off. This was another challenge issued by the Commanders — one that the Kentucky product passed with flying colors.
The player's stock has never been higher. Austin Ekeler is the experienced figure who'll have a leading role. Croskey-Merritt is the young upstart aiming to shake things up. Jeremy McNichols' roster spot is more secure, depending on how many running backs the Commanders take through. But it's starting to look like Rodriguez can fill the void left by Robinson, and perhaps even provide an upgrade if further improvements arrive.
Consistency is key. Rodriguez has always flashed when chances came his way, but something was preventing the coaching staff from piling a heavier workload on his shoulders. That could be about to change.
What comes next is down to Rodriguez. But this represents a seismic shift in his favor that must be exploited by a player who was written off once upon a time.