Commanders' unlikely hero proving everyone wrong after four weeks

The Washington Commanders' 2025 season has been a rollercoaster so far, sitting 2-2 after four weeks. They've flip-flopped between home wins and road losses, all while fighting through a multitude of injuries in the early part of their schedule.

It's probably fair to say that most fans expected a better start for Washington after reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024, followed by a series of offseason moves to establish Super Bowl hopeful status. There's no shortage of Commanders players who could be described as disappointments to date, but the health issues haven't helped.

There have also been some bright spots. One of them is a player who wasn't on anybody's radar before the start of the year.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is stepping up when the Commanders needed him most

The Commanders entered the preseason with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler set to be a formidable 1-2 punch in the offensive backfield. Those plans quickly changed when the former was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick, while the latter suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.

Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was the darling of the Commanders' offseason, was expected to step into the RB1 role as a result. Instead, it's been a committee featuring him, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez, a 2023 sixth-round pick who has been cut and placed on Washington's practice squad on several occasions, was a healthy scratch for the first two games of 2025. After Ekeler's injury, he's come to the fore.

The former Kentucky star had his best performance of the season to date in Week 4, accumulating 59 rushing yards on seven carries. This was highlighted by a 48-yard scamper, showcasing the big-play ability he brings to the offense.

Rodriguez had become a forgotten man in Washington following Croskey-Merritt's emergence and found himself squarely on the roster bubble. Had it not been for the Robinson trade, he may very well have been the odd man out. But he turned heads during a strong preseason, leading the team with 118 rushing yards on only 17 carries. More importantly, this momentum has carried over into the regular season.

The more opportunities Rodriguez gets, the more he should continue to solidify his role. He's quickly gone from an afterthought to a player Washington can't afford to leave out of the offensive game plan. It will be fascinating to watch his continued development throughout the season.