The last thing NFL players want to talk about is one of their teammates who is on the trading block or on the verge of being released. That’s what the Washington Commanders are dealing with this week regarding former starting running back Brian Robinson Jr.
It began after Monday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shortly after the game in the locker room, reporters were asking rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt about Robinson’s status. The rookie politely declined to go in-depth, as have other teammates this week. Why? It’s difficult because they all like Robinson. He’s a popular, well-liked teammate. And the players also must try to maintain a team-first perspective.
Robinson, a 2022 third-round pick, has started 37 of the 41 games he’s played for the Commanders. He’s rushed for over 2,300 yards, but the team has determined him to be expendable, partly due to the emergence of Croskey-Merritt and the returning Chris Rodriguez Jr. Rodriguez can handle some of the power running that was Robinson’s bread and butter in recent years. The Commanders also have Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. It’s a deep room, with or without Robinson. So, the team recently made him available via trade.
Ekeler, entering his ninth NFL season in 2025, offered some perspective.
“You can’t always control the name on the front of the jersey, but you always represent the name on the back,” Ekeler told Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. “And so no matter what, no matter where you’re at, make sure that that’s right. Control what you can control.”
Sound advice from the veteran Ekeler.
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