Antonio Gibson sends cryptic tweet after exclusion from ESPN’s RB rankings

To say the 2022 season is huge for Antonio Gibson would be a comprehensive understatement. Entering his third year on the Washington Commanders, it’s not farfetched to say Gibson could earn himself a second contract with the organization if he turns in another productive year and rectifies his fumbling woes.

Speaking of which, Gibson’s penchant for putting the ball on the ground really overshadowed what was a breakout 2021.

While his efficiency as a rusher cratered — he averaged 4.0 yards per attempt compared to 4.7 YPC as a rookie — that can be attributed to defenses loading the box due to Taylor Heinicke’s inability to stretch the field. In 2020, Alex Smith, the late Dwayne Haskins and even Kyle Allen, who made four starts, were at least able to keep defense’s honest with their arm strength.

Regardless, the fact Gibson totaled over 1,000 rushing yards is impressive and it’s even a bigger accomplishment when you recall he battled through a stress fracture in his shin. Despite the injury, he started all but one game.

Most Commanders fans would agree that Gibson ascended up the running back rankings with his performance last season.

According to ESPN’s latest rankings, however, the 24-year-old didn’t do enough to crack the top 10 and he unleashed a cryptic tweet seemingly conveying his disappointment after the article was published on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/AntonioGibson14/status/1546957490478166018

Commanders star Antonio Gibson is seemingly displeased after his exclusion from ESPN’s RB rankings.

The article’s behind a paywall, so here’s a rundown of the rankings:

1. Derrick Henry
2. Jonathan Taylor
3. Nick Chubb
4. Dalvin Cook
5. Alvin Kamara
6. Joe Mixon
7. Christian McCaffrey
8. Najee Harris
9. Aaron Jones
10. Javonte Williams (!)

The three honorable  mentions include Austin Ekeler, who’s probably the biggest snub, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley. Gibson made the article, but only as someone who received votes alongside Miles Sanders and Josh Jacobs.

For those wondering, the rankings were put together by polling over 40 league executives, scouts, coaches and players. After the voters informed ESPN of their top 10 running backs, ESPN ranked the players based on the number of top-10 votes they received and their average ranking.

Gibson should have at least been an honorable mention. Though talented, how to two rookies in Harris and Williams make the top 10?

Drafted in the second round by Denver, Williams wasn’t even the lead guy in his backfield and Harris posted 1,200 rushing yards simply due to the fact he was fed 307 carries. Despite the massive volume, the former Alabama star’s 3.9 yards per carry ranked 22nd at the position, according to Stat Muse.

Like Gibson, Harris fell victim to subpar quarterback play. Why didn’t voters grade on the same curve for Gibson? And what’s up with the love affair for Barkley? He’s played 15 games over the last two seasons and has just 627 rushing yards to show for it. His electrifying rookie and sophomore years are a distant memory.

Since he was drafted in 2020, Gibson ranks 11th among RBs with 1,832 rushing yards and eighth with 18 rushing scores. How are those stats only good enough to get a few votes? We wish we had an explanation.

Luckily for the Commanders, Gibson’s tweet suggests he’s using the disrespect as motivation to be even better in 2022.

Consider yourself warned, NFL, because AG is angry.