Here’s how Antonio Gibson worked on fixing fumbling issue this offseason

The Washington Commanders‘ backfield figures to be an area of strength next season.

With Antonio Gibson returning as the lead back after finishing sixth in the NFL in rushing, JD McKissic re-upping his contract after it looked as though he was leaving in free agency, and the addition of third-round draft choice Brian Robinson Jr., this three-headed monster will be a forced to be reckoned with.

During the early portion of OTAs, Gibson and McKissic handled most of the snaps with Washington’s first-team offense. Robinson will eventually get his chances, but Gibson and McKissic are clearly one and two in the pecking order as they each enter their third seasons in Scott Turner’s offense.

Of course, Gibson’s job as the workhorse is far from secure after he led the league with six fumbles in 2021. He lost four of them after fumbling twice as a rookie, though he did gut through a stress fracture in his shin.

Due for an extension next offseason, Gibson knows 2022 will be key in securing a long-term contract from the Commanders.

Being more secure with the football as a ball-carrier will go a long way towards making that happen and Gibson put in the work in that regard this offseason, as ESPN’s John Keim reported in a recent article on the 23-year-old.

Commanders running back Antonio Gibson worked on fixing his fumbling woes this offseason.

According to Keim, Gibson worked with well-known performance coach Kerry Bennett at his facility in Texas. Here’s how Bennett trained Gibson to better improve his ball security. Let’s just say it sounds extremely difficult.

"To address his fumbling, Gibson ran plays with Bennett carrying a three-pound ball (about two pounds heavier than a regulation ball). With the added weight, Gibson could better feel when the ball wasn’t tight against his body. Bennett also challenged Gibson by placing a series of five-foot hurdles made of PVC pipes that he had to run under while cutting."

We’re not going to pretend like we’re fumbling experts and say for certain this will help Gibson, but it sure sounds well thought out. The important thing is Gibson accepted his fumbles as an issue and wants to nip it in the bud. Not every professional athlete is motivated to remedy their biggest flaw, you know.

Even more encouraging? Gibson’s offseason agenda didn’t stop at improving his ball security. Per Keim, Bennett worked with Gibson on getting leaner (i.e., altering his diet) and staying low through the hole to gain additional yards.

"“Slimming down, muscling up,” Gibson told Keim on what he and Bennett focused on. “Just to get some of my speed back. I wanted to get quicker. I feel looser in the hips. I feel explosive.”"

Whatever they did, it seemed to work as Gibson lowered his body fat from 18 percent to 12 percent.

Fans will also love hearing the Memphis product worked on refining his route-running in case he sees more snaps as a pass-catcher. With Robinson a lock to receive carries, Gibson could see his role as a receiver expand. We all remember he starred in college as a wideout before he was converted to a running back.

Of course, all of this means nothing if Gibson doesn’t show improvements on the gridiron, but how can you not love his determination to be the best version of himself? It just goes to show that Ron Rivera and Co. really consider a player’s character and mental fortitude when evaluating prospects before the draft.

Good on you, AG. Prove the doubters wrong!

Antonio Gibson could be biggest beneficiary of JD McKissic’s return

Antonio Gibson recently spoke on D McKissic's importance to the Commanders means to him. Could Gibson be the biggest beneficiary of McKissic's return?