Ahead of Monday’s Washington Commanders’ preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, running back Brian Robinson Jr. has agreed to sit out as the team attempts to facilitate a trade to another team. Here are three potential destinations for Robinson.
San Francisco 49ers
With their backfield depleted due to injuries, the 49ers are re-signing their former running back Jeff Wilson, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O’Dare. pic.twitter.com/0buuxuY8bo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2025
Before the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers relied on running back Christian McCaffrey to be their workhorse.
Last year, the 49ers’ worst-case scenario came true when McCaffrey suffered multiple injuries that kept him out of 13 games.
McCaffrey is healthy heading into this season, but the team will certainly lighten his workload to keep him fresh for a potential playoff run.
However, most of the 49ers’ backup running backs are injured. Issac Guerendo, Jordan James, Corey Kiner, and Patrick Taylor Jr. are all listed as questionable because of recent injuries.
Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are the only healthy running backs behind McCaffrey.
Trading for Robinson provides the team with much-needed depth at the position and insurance for McCaffrey. Robinson rushed for a career-high 799 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Robinson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, so it should only cost the 49ers one to two day-three picks to acquire him from the Commanders.
Chicago Bears
What about the #Bears Running Back room you ask for Ben Johnson’s offense in Chicago?@nflnetwork @NFLMedia pic.twitter.com/TPJ6T0dnaI
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) July 25, 2025
First-year head coach Ben Johnson engineered one of the best offenses in football as a coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
One of the team’s strengths was its backfield. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for over 2,100 rushing yards, 858 receiving yards, and 32 touchdowns.
To help further Caleb Williams’ development, Johnson will want to establish a strong running attack in Chicago.
D’Andre Swift is the clear frontrunner to be the No. 1 running back, with Roschon Johnson the likely No. 2.
Adding Robinson gives the offense another weapon to improve the offense’s 102.0 rushing yards per game (25th in the NFL) in 2024.
Cleveland Browns
Though Cleveland second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges, he and the Browns still have been unable to reach a deal and may not until the end of any NFL investigation. pic.twitter.com/QzbE6j8tsK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2025
The Cleveland Browns need a lot of help.
Due to several key injuries in their quarterback room, 40-year-old Joe Flacco will start for the Browns in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. With all due respect to the Super Bowl champion, the Browns need to get younger, not older.
Cleveland drafted Quinshon Judkins in the second round to be the team’s starting running back. Due to legal issues, Judkins has not signed a contract and remains out of practice.
Judkins might also get suspended by the NFL for violating league policy.
Without Judkins, the Browns’ backfield includes Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson, and Pierre Strong Jr.
Robinson would easily become the starter if Cleveland elects to trade for the running back.
