3 trade deadline moves the Commanders should avoid at all costs

1. Commanders cannot trade Antonio Gibson

You can add Kendall Fuller to the list of players the Commanders shouldn’t sell before the deadline, but Antonio Gibson is a must-keep after the last two games. Not only is Brian Robinson struggling with efficiency since returning, but it’s quickly become clear Gibson is best served playing in a shared backfield.

Whether it’s the sudden reduced workload, Scott Turner’s new role for him or simply serving as the change-of-pace back that’s bringing out the best in Gibson, Commanders fans have seen a different version of the RB the last two games.

It’s fair to say Washington doesn’t win those games without Gibson. Against Chicago, he provided a spark to a stagnant rushing attack in the second half and he did the same against the Packers averaging 5.9 yards per carry and scoring a big receiving touchdown that got the Commanders back into the game.

Trading Gibson might not have sounded crazy three weeks ago, but Week 7 marked the first time he and Robinson showed their potential as a RB committee. That performance is what Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew envisioned when they drafted Robinson in April instead of addressing another position.

Not to mention, Gibson’s injected new life into Washington’s return game and Robinson’s 3.4 yards per carry suggest he’s not ready to be the bell-cow. Plenty of teams, including Buffalo, would be happy to trade for Gibson, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

Running the football has become Washington’s identity on offense and trading Gibson would derail all the progress they’ve made during this mini winning streak.