Commanders news: Emmanuel Forbes, Joe Whitt Jr., Antonio Gibson and collaboration

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson's future

The Washington Commanders are about to embark on one of the most important free agency periods in franchise history. They have the league's most salary-cap space available currently. This will increase further once early releases and contract restructures are announced. General manager Adam Peters said he wants to build through the draft, but he can help himself enormously by plugging holes with decent veteran acquisitions.

Antonio Gibson's future is up in the air. The running back remains talented, but he's fallen behind Brian Robinson Jr. in the pecking order. Considering the flashes from Chris Rodriguez Jr. during his rookie campaign, those in power could opt to take their chances with a cheaper contract via the 2024 NFL Draft.

This was a topic discussed by Ben Standig from The Athletic. He believes Gibson could benefit from a change of scenery based on comments via Sports Illustrated. Much will also depend on how new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury sees his role within a more expansive, well-balanced offense.

"[Antonio] Gibson remained a helpful contributor — a career-best 5.8 yards per touch in 2023 — but went from 300 touches in 2021 to 113 this season. A change of scenery might be the best decision unless the switch at offensive coordinator from Eric Bieniemy to [Kliff] Kingsbury does the trick. Kingsbury’s Arizona Cardinals teams paired the slithery Chase Edmonds with the power-packed James Conner. Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. exist for the Conner role. The change-of-pace option does not, and the new staff might not see Gibson in that mold despite his speed (4.39 40-yard dash time at the 2020 combine) and 172 career receptions."

- Ben Standig via The Athetic

Paying running backs is not the popular trend around the NFL right now. When one factors everything into this equation, it would be a surprise if Gibson stuck around.