The Washington Commanders ' offense in 2024 will be controlled by new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, so what will that mean for the team's current backup running back, Antonio Gibson?
By looking at how Kingsbury used his running back room during some of his other coaching gigs, we can try to predict whether or not Gibson will continue to have a role in Washington next season.
"Gibson remained a helpful contributor — a career-best 5.8 yards per touch in 2023 — but went from 300 touches in 2021 to 113 this season. A change of scenery might be the best decision unless the switch at offensive coordinator from Eric Bieniemy to Kingsbury does the trick," The Athletic writes.
"Kingsbury’s Arizona Cardinals teams paired the slithery Chase Edmonds with the power-packed James Conner. Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. exist for the Conner role. The change-of-pace option does not, and the new staff might not see Gibson in that mold despite his speed (4.39 40-yard dash time at the 2020 combine) and 172 career receptions."
Based on previous running back usage, it would appear that this offseason could be when Gibson and the Commanders part ways now that the change of rusher has finished the final year of his rookie contract.
In his four seasons, Gibson accounted for 3,926 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns but, unfortunately, never lived up to the three-down workhorse hopes many fans had for the converted Memphis wide receiver when he entered the league.
Perhaps the best days of Gibson's NFL career remain ahead, but as of now, it seems that those days will likely be on another squad in 2024, as Kingsbury would likely prefer to draft a backup rusher rather than keep a veteran who isn't one of his guys.
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