Getty Antonio Gibson is leaving the Washington Commanders for the AFC in 2024 NFL free agency.
The Washington Commanders rarely made full use of Antonio Gibson’s multiple skill-set, but the New England Patriots think the dual-threat running back is worth a three-year deal in free agency.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the Patriots’ intention to sign Gibson on Monday, March 11, before Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team reported it will be on a three-year contract.
Gibson might have found the ideal new home with a franchise that’s traditionally made excellent use of pass-catching running backs. He rarely lived up to the billing as a two-phase playmaker in Washington, despite a background as a wide receiver before entering the pros.
Letting Gibson test the market is a sign the Commanders are ready to look for another versatile option for third downs. Somebody who can support lead back Brian Robinson Jr., who is more of a grinder between the tackles.
Robinson isn’t dynamic in the passing game, while 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. landed on injured reserve back in December. So the Commanders will need to find multiple reinforcements for the backfield from within this veteran market.
Patriots Will Make Better Use of Antonio Gibson
A prolific receiver out of the backfield used to be a feature of the offense for the Patriots. Versatile backs like Kevin Faulk, Shane Vereen and James White all thrived in this key role.
Gibson could do the same, provided the Pats make more use of his aptitude for catching passes than the Commanders ever did. The third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft played wide receiver at Memphis before entering the pros, but Gibson never tallied 60 targets in a single season in Washington.
Although he snagged a career-best 48 receptions in 2023, Gibson still wasn’t moved around enough to create big plays in the passing game. A tally of just 0.3 yards before catch per reception, per Pro Football Reference, proves Gibson was barely out of the backfield when he caught most of his passes.
Sometimes the short-range emphasis worked. Like when Gibson took a screen pass 73 yards for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in 2021.
Rumble, young man, rumble
📺 » #WASvsBUF | @AntonioGibson14
Yet, the Commanders still missed a trick by not splitting Gibson out wide or flexing him into the slot on a regular basis. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder would’ve been a size and speed mismatch from either position.
Gibson might have been a useful weapon in a more expansive offense called by new coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Instead, the Commanders are left searching for a natural third-down specialist.
Commanders Need RB Help in Free Agency
Some of the top running backs have already found new teams, including Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard. Yet, the Commanders can still find value at the position on the veteran market.
Proven and versatile backs like Austin Ekeler or Aaron Jones would give the Commanders a potential starter. Jones was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday, despite three 1,000-yard seasons, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Packers are releasing star RB Aaron Jones, per sources.
A three-time 1,000-yard rusher, Jones missed time with injuries last season and was due $12 million in 2024. Instead he hits the market at age 29.
Ekeler or Jones would work in a committee with Robinson or assume the multi-faceted RB1 role Gibson was expected to make his own.