Report: Redskins retaining exclusive rights free agent Byron Marshall
Byron Marshall became a favorite of Jay Gruden last offseason. Reportedly, the running back is going to return to the Redskins for the 2019 season.
In 2017, the Washington Redskins were forced to use nine different running backs thanks to a rash of injuries that occurred at the position. One of them was Byron Marshall. The former Eagle was brought in as depth, but he endeared himself to Jay Gruden and the coaching staff in his limited time with the squad. They liked his return ability and also his combination of running talent and receiving ability, so they kept him on the team in 2018.
Marshall spent the first part of last season on Injured Reserve before returning late in the year. With the team, he really didn’t do much, garnering just seven touches and 39 yards in six games with the squad. Still, he apparently showed enough for the Redskins to retain him.
According to Craig Hoffman of 106.7 The Fan, the Redskins have brought back Marshall for the veteran minimum. Marshall was an exclusive rights free agent, so the team could tender him and keep him at the minimum. He had no other option but to accept that, as he has two or fewer years of accrued service time.
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It’s not surprising that the ‘Skins retained Marshall. After all, Gruden really seemed to like him, so keeping him at the minimum as offseason roster depth is solid. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine Marshall having much of a role with the team. They already have Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson, so at best, Marshall would be the third back.
Even then, trusting him as anything more than a return weapon or a fourth-string option would be a mistake. He didn’t show a lot in his time with the team last year, so they may be better served using him solely as competition. Perhaps if he’s fully healthy he can be the backup receiving back, but right now, it’s hard to trust him.
Also, it’s notable that the team elected to keep Marshall over the superior Kapri Bibbs last season. It will be interesting to see if Bibbs continues to outplay Marshall while with the Packers this season. Of course, since both are merely depth options at best, this point should be moot, but it’s still strange that Bibbs was cut after outperforming Marshall.
Ideally, the Redskins will find other running back talent that will push Marshall into either the fourth-string role or off the roster, whether that’s Samaje Perine taking over as the third-string back or the team adding someone via free agency or the draft. Or, of course, the team could bring back Adrian Peterson.
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Bringing back Marshall doesn’t do a lot for the Redskins. His chances of making the roster aren’t great, but having him for the offseason is fine. At best, they grabbed a depth player on the league minimum. So, it could be solid. But at the same time, it’s not something to get too excited about.