{"id":265219,"date":"2026-02-11T17:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T22:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=265219"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:31:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:31:26","slug":"washington-commanders-running-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/11\/washington-commanders-running-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Commanders Expected to Acquire Running Back"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"148\" data-end=\"460\">The Washington Commanders running back situation remains one of the roster\u2019s biggest questions heading into the offseason. That question came into sharper focus Tuesday when new offensive coordinator <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BlouDa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Blough<\/a> spoke to the media for the first time at his introductory press conference.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"148\" data-end=\"460\"><p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOB4CItQVb8\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 5437px; aspect-ratio: 5437\/3625;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"462\" data-end=\"598\">When asked about the run game, Blough was clear that <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Bill Croskey-Merritt<\/span><\/span> would not be the lone option in the backfield.<\/p>\n<p>How Washington ultimately fills that spot remains to be seen, whether through the draft, a trade, or free agency.<\/p>\n<h2>Washington Commanders Running Back Options<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Commanders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Commanders<\/a> OC David Blough on the RB room while discussing Bill Croskey-Merritt: <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve got 1 RB signed so there will definitely be acquisitions that take place there\u201d <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/REoaAIEwdO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/REoaAIEwdO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JayDanielsMVP\/status\/2021306193088495754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Breece Hall<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"212\" data-end=\"467\">If Washington is serious about upgrading the position, <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HallBr03.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Breece Hall<\/a> makes a lot of sense. When healthy, he has shown he can handle a heavy workload and still create big plays. He runs hard, sees the field well, and does not need much space to be effective.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"469\" data-end=\"777\">Hall also brings value in the passing game, which would give Washington more flexibility on offense. He is the type of back who can stay on the field without tipping play calls, something this roster has not always had. Adding him would be less about rotation and more about establishing a clear lead option.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Breece Hall Highlights | NFL 2025-2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2sklndJ7Fg4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"55\" data-end=\"100\"><strong data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"100\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Travis Etienne Jr.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"312\"><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EtieTr00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travis Etienne<\/a> would give Washington a different look in the backfield. He is at his best in space and can turn short throws into meaningful gains. That alone would add an element that this offense has been missing.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"535\">Etienne is not a power back, but he does not need to be. His value comes from quickness, vision, and the ability to stress defenses on the edge. Used the right way, he would open things up rather than simply fill carries. While it is certainly an option, it would be hard to imagine Etienne leaving his friend from college and quarterback <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LawrTr00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trevor Lawrence<\/a> in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Travis Etienne | 2025 Highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LWJSMzTzp50?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"540\"><strong data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"540\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Kenneth Walker III<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"542\" data-end=\"779\"><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WalkKe00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kenneth Walker<\/a> would be a long shot for Washington. Seattle is coming off a Super Bowl win, and Walker, who was the Super Bowl MVP,\u00a0 remains part of a core that expects to stay in contention. Players in that position rarely leave unless the offer is too big to ignore.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"781\" data-end=\"1026\">For Walker to move on from a winning organization like the <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Seattle Seahawks<\/span><\/span>, it would likely take a substantial payday. Between the cost and Seattle\u2019s incentive to keep him, it is hard to see this as a realistic outcome.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kenneth Walker Highlights | NFL 2025-2026 I SB MVP\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iHazwllItaw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"215\"><strong data-start=\"174\" data-end=\"215\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Rico Dowdle<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"470\"><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DowdRi01.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rico Dowdle<\/a> may be the most practical option on the list. He runs with purpose, protects the ball, and does not try to do more than what is there. When he has been given opportunities, he has shown he can handle steady work without becoming a liability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"718\">For Washington, Dowdle would fit as a reliable piece rather than a centerpiece. He would raise the floor of the position, provide flexibility in how the backfield is used, and likely come at a manageable cost compared to some of the bigger names.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rico Dowdle Highlights | NFL 2025\u20132026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1lITH3L3WaY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"108\" data-end=\"357\">However Washington chooses to handle it, the backfield still feels incomplete. There is room for another piece, and it is hard to see the team going into the season without addressing it in some way. The need may not be urgent, but it is noticeable.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"594\">Whether that comes through free agency, the draft, or a trade will depend on how the rest of the offseason unfolds. For now, it feels less like a question of if Washington adds a running back and more a matter of when and at what cost.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Speaking of free agency, the Commanders may be looking into free agency to likely fill another gap that a veteran roster member has held onto for quite some time. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/10\/commanders-face-uncertainty-in-top-nfl-free-agent-zach-ertz-3-teams-who-could-save-him\/\" target=\"_self\">Which three teams<\/a> could possibly save <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/ErtzZa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-02-11_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Ertz<\/a>&#8216;s career?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"GDhF5WrWPB\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/10\/commanders-face-uncertainty-in-top-nfl-free-agent-zach-ertz-3-teams-who-could-save-him\/\" target=\"_self\">Commanders Face &#8220;Uncertainty&#8221; in Top NFL Free Agent &#8211; 3 Teams Who Could Save Him<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Commanders Face &#8220;Uncertainty&#8221; in Top NFL Free Agent &#8211; 3 Teams Who Could Save Him&#8221; &#8212; Last Word on NFL\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/10\/commanders-face-uncertainty-in-top-nfl-free-agent-zach-ertz-3-teams-who-could-save-him\/embed\/#?secret=1oGuei5Xib#?secret=GDhF5WrWPB\" data-secret=\"GDhF5WrWPB\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Washington Commanders running back situation remains unsettled as the team weighs options through free agency, the draft, or a trade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5774,"featured_media":264194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[9064,9497,32191,7239],"class_list":["post-265219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-football-team","tag-breece-hall","tag-kenneth-walker","tag-rico-dowdle","tag-travis-etienne"],"modified_by":"Drew Crabtree","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5774"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265219"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":265254,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265219\/revisions\/265254"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/264194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}