3 players the Commanders should hold off on extending in 2023

Antonio Gibson – Commanders RB

Brian Robinson Jr.’s rapid evolution into the lead running back last season was encouraging and provides genuine hope for the future. However, this casts doubt on Antonio Gibson‘s future with the Washington Commanders beyond this season.

Gibson has his uses and will be the change-of-pace option, one suspects. His days of gaining 20-plus carries per game might be gone thanks to Robinson’s presence, but the former Memphis star could still flourish on a rotational basis with Eric Bieniemy calling plays.

The first three seasons of Gibson’s career have been good, in all honesty. His 2,378 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns during this span indicate as much, with the player also demonstrating encouraging development in the passing game for good measure.

This looks set to be his primary responsibility in 2023 after the Commanders released J.D. McKissic with a failed physical designation. If Gibson thrives in this role, it has the scope to become a dynamic one-two punch under Bieniemy’s guidance.

One doesn’t have to look far around the NFL to see the dangers that come with paying running backs. Therefore, handing Gibson a contract extension ahead of time just doesn’t seem like the smartest move at this juncture.

That’s not to say Washington should completely dismiss the notion when the time comes in 2024. It just shouldn’t come beforehand with money so tight currently.