Antonio Gibson wowed Washington Commanders fans during his first two seasons, leading the team in rushing and touchdowns. He had 2,373 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. But he had eight fumbles and lost six of them in that span.
His fumbling issues cost him the role as the lead running back in 2022 to then-rookie Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson has remained part of the offense. Last year, he had no fumbles lost.
Some fans and media stayed in his corner, even suggesting he ultimately should return as the lead back. However, even Gibson’s top supporters cannot defend him after his fumbling issues have returned.
Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, Gibson had a costly turnover early in the fourth quarter in the Commanders’ 37-3 loss. The Commanders trailed 16-0 when Gibson took a screen pass from quarterback Sam Howell.
Initially, Gibson made a superb move to get from Bills defensive tackle Tim Settle. Gibson spun again to avoid a huge collision with linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano. That second spin exposed him to a punch out by cornerback Taron Johnson. Bernard recovered the loose football at the Commanders’ 31-yard line.
The Bills offense needed six plays to get in the end zone for a game-sealing touchdown.
The Commanders had five turnovers in the game. Four of them were interceptions thrown by Howell. Gibson’s one fumble didn’t lose Washington the game. But his fumble loomed loud. Howell is a young quarterback who will endure growing pains.
Gibson is in his fourth season in the league. He lost his starting role because of his fumbles. A year after it appeared he had cleaned up his fumbling issues, he has lost two fumbles in the first three games.
His history of fumbles has cost the Commanders. Sam Fortier of The Washington Post highlighted the significance of Gibson’s fumbles with an alarming stat.
Since 2020, when Washington drafted Gibson, he has lost eight fumbles — seven of which have come in the red zone or inside his team’s 37-yard line. In that span, of all qualified skill players, Gibson has cost his team the fourth-most expected points added, an advanced metric that gives yards context. The only three who have cost their teams more are running backs Melvin Gordon, Dalvin Cook, and Ezekiel Elliott.
No one is advocating to cut Gibson at this moment. But look at the names Fortier mentions. While once dynamic, Gordon, Cook, and Elliott are no longer with the teams that drafted them.
Gordon, Cook, and Elliott have been searching to cling to a team after their respective releases in the past couple of seasons. Neither are primary backs anymore.
Gibson is in the final year of his rookie contract. When Washington drafted him in the third round in 2020, they converted him from wide receiver to running back. This season, Gibson looked forward to getting touches in the passing game.
His latest fumble came on a catch. Yes, the screen-pass immediately broke down, but at that instance, securing the football was his top priority. He did not.
Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy appeared in the corner of Antonio Gibson after his first fumble of the season. Head coach Ron Rivera said he wouldn’t fault Gibson for his effort on Sunday’s fumble against Buffalo. Yet, if the fumbles continue, he may get left behind by Washington.
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