The Washington Commanders have reportedly received trade calls for running back Antonio Gibson, yet, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera made it clear Gibson won’t get traded ahead of the Nov. 1 trade deadline.
According to the Score’s Jordan Schultz, other NFL teams have called the Commanders for Gibson. Washington prefers to keep the third-year star.
Rivera opened his media conference Friday following practice by addressing the trade report.
“We have no intentions of moving Antonio Gibson,” a frustrated Rivera said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.
Rivera called the running back s room a “very good place” before adding he plans to talk directly to Gibson about the rumors of them taking trade calls.
“I don’t know why people throw stuff up against the wall,” Rivera said.
Gibson’s future with the Commanders has become a bit cloudy this season with the emergence of rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr.
Gibson, a wide receiver in college at Memphis, converted into a running back after the Commanders drafted him in the third round in 2020. Gibson led the team in rushing and touchdowns each of his first two seasons, including 1,037 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns in 2021.
However, his struggles with ball security have marred his overall performance. Last season, Gibson led the NFL among non-quarterbacks with six fumbles. Those concerns crept into this season after he lost a fumble in Washington’s first preseason game.
Antonio Gibson started losing ground as the lead back before Robinson got shot twice during an armed robbery ahead of the regular season. He started five games with Robinson out. But since Week 6, Robinson has returned as the lead back, and Gibson added the role of a kick returner.
Teams are smart in calling in to check for Gibson’s status with the Commanders. Gibson is under his rookie contract through the 2023 season. But it appears the Commanders are content with their backfield duo.
Gibson had 59 rushing yards on ten carries, three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown, and 78 yards on three kickoff returns in Washington’s 23-21 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. Robinson had 73 yards on 20 carries.
Commanders’ offensive coordinator Scott Turner is carving out a piece of the offense for Gibson despite Robinson being the lead back.
Washington is on a two-game win streak behind the strength of its 1-2 punch in the backfield. By not trading Gibson, the Commanders are not ready to prematurely break up luxury at running back.
