Trade speculation had been rife around Brian Robinson Jr. Now, the Washington Commanders have made their stance on the running back crystal clear.
Mike Garafolo from the NFL Network revealed that after discussions between Robinson and the Commanders in the wake of these rumors, the former third-round pick won't play during their Monday Night Football preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This all but confirms that the backfield threat has probably played his last game in Washington.
This came just a few hours after NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Commanders were placing Robinson on the trade block. Ben Standig, formerly of The Athletic, who now covers the team independently, also hinted that the Alabama product wouldn't be on the 53-man roster.
Commanders have made their intentions clear with Brian Robinson Jr.
Garafolo said Robinson not suiting up at Northwest Stadium was a mutual decision, and that a trade away from the Commanders remains a possibility. Either way, it represents a seismic shift to Washington's running back dynamic.
The Commanders feel comfortable enough with their other options to make him surplus to requirements. Kliff Kingsbury praised the player once again this week, but reports suggest that the offensive coordinator wants someone who can make explosive plays. That doesn't make a ground-and-pound player like Robinson a good scheme fit.
Washington will move forward, providing they can get a willing trade partner for Robinson, with the options already around. This includes veteran Austin Ekeler, while the momentum building around seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt is increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Commanders don't have much leverage now. They've placed their cards on the table with Robinson, letting everyone know he won't be put in harm's way by the team to jeopardize any potential trade that might be imminent. If this is the end, it's a disappointing one to his tenure.
Robinson overcame significant adversity during his rookie transition. He fought back superbly and took over as the lead running back for two and a half seasons, gaining 2,329 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. The wear and tear began to take its toll last time around with some nagging injuries, and the Commanders now feel like they might be better off without him.
That's a big call to make, one that piles exponential pressure on others to deliver the goods alongside Jayden Daniels. Robinson should have a market somewhere looking to upgrade their No. 2 or perhaps even No. 1 running back option, so it would be surprising if something didn't happen quickly in the wake of this news.
And it's yet another draft pick made by Ron Rivera that never reached the end of their rookie deal in Washington.