Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. enters the 2025 season with a sense of urgency. As he approaches the final year of his rookie deal, the 25-year-old is aiming to prove he's worthy of a long-term extension, whether from Washington or another team.
Robinson has shown flashes of being a reliable lead back, but durability remains a question mark. Since entering the league in 2022, he has yet to complete a full season. His rookie campaign was notably interrupted by a traumatic event - Robinson was shot twice in an attempted robbery just weeks before the season opener. Remarkably, he missed only four games and returned to rush for 797 yards.
Robinson continued to show growth over the next two seasons, logging over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. Despite steady improvement, the Commanders appear to be exploring future options.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, Washington selected running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Croskey-Merritt has been touted as a late-round steal and has already turned heads within the organization.
Robinson is also sharing a backfield with Austin Ekeler, who handled much of the receiving workload last season and is entering a contract year himself.With competition brewing and his contract expiring, Robinson understands that he's not only playing to maintain his starting role, but also to secure his future in the NFL.
"The biggest thing for me is just being available," Robinson told reporters. "Just being on the field, I think, when I'm healthy and I'm well - the biggest thing for me is just being available, being out there on the field where I can continue to produce. Everything, as far as the craft, I'm going to continue to stay sharp and continue to work, put in the extra time, the extra hours in the building, outside the building, whatever I need to do to stay sharp."
Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury knows how effective Robinson can be. If he stays healthy and produces in 2025, a long-term deal could be on the horizon.
"He's been really focused," Kingsbury said. "The biggest thing that came out of last year I think was that any of the guys that we asked to go in and play, played at a really high level.
"B-Rob's a guy who has played an incredibly high level. I thought early in the year when he was really healthy, he was what we expect him to be, and the focus this offseason has been great. He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level."
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