While the Los Angeles Chargers were playing in their third preseason game this past weekend, an interesting and unexpected name was put on the trade block.
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. seems to have become expendable in Washington due to the summer that rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is having. With him and Austin Ekeler handling the bulk of the work, the Commanders signaled that they are shopping their former third-round pick.
Robinson Jr., who is only 26 years old and has over 2,300 yards on the ground in three seasons, could have a big market among teams looking for a young, yet experienced option.
Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors sees the Chargers are one of those teams, mostly due to the ongoing absence of free-agent Najee Harris. Harris suffered an eye injury due to a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July. He has yet to participate in Chargers camp and could be on pace to miss the first regular season game(s) of his career.
Many Chargers fans may scoff at this idea, but it does make a lot of sense.
Robinson is a tough, straight-ahead runner who fits the style that Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman employ. If Harris is going to miss time into the regular season, it makes sense to support the rookie, Omarion Hampton, with a guy like him, as the depth is unproven behind him.
Even with Harris back in the lineup, Robinson would still have value, and the Chargers could form an impressive three-headed monster at the running back position.
READ: Chargers have massive year in recent Madden simulation of 2025 season
It seems that Robinson's days in Washington are numbered, and since he is entering the final year of his contract, he could likely be had for cheap. A day three draft pick would probably get a deal done. The Chargers make as much sense as any team to complete that deal.
BREAKING:
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) August 18, 2025
The trade market for Commanders Running Back Brian Robinson is “nearly non-existent” per source pic.twitter.com/zwjqkyObhs
There is also the chance that there won't be much interest in his services and the Commanders could be forced to just cut him.
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