Even Antonio Gibson’s biggest supporters can’t defend Commanders RB with latest fumble

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.