The Dallas Cowboys are charging into the 2025 season with a glaring question mark in their backfield, but a blockbuster move could be on the horizon. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders are actively shopping their star running back, Brian Robinson Jr. Could the Cowboys pull off a stunning inter-divisional coup to snatch a game-changer from their NFC East rivals?
Dallas is poised to lean on a committee of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to kick off the season. Last year, the duo combined for a modest 718 yards and six touchdowns on 194 carries—a respectable but uninspiring output. By contrast, Robinson alone racked up 799 yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries in 2024. His efficiency and explosiveness could transform the Cowboys’ ground game, elevating it from patchwork to powerhouse.
Brian Robinson fits what the Cowboys should want in a RB. To me he’s a much better option than Williams and Sanders as a vet option. https://t.co/opCRCE01yC
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) August 18, 2025
“Robinson would represent a big upgrade for the Cowboys,” wrote USA Today’s Jacob Camenker on August 17. “But would Washington be willing to trade one of its leading rushers to a divisional rival? The Commanders would probably prefer to send Robinson elsewhere, but if Dallas makes the best offer, they might just bite.”
Robinson’s journey to NFL stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Selected in the third round by Washington in 2022, his career nearly derailed before it began when he survived a harrowing shooting during an attempted robbery just weeks before his rookie season. Defying the odds, Robinson returned to the field in mere weeks, churning out 797 rushing yards in just 12 games.
In 2023, Robinson’s game reached new heights. He posted 733 rushing yards and five touchdowns while emerging as a dynamic pass-catcher, hauling in 36 receptions for 368 yards and four scores. By 2024, he cemented his status as a workhorse, delivering a career-best 799 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry, plus 159 receiving yards. With over 2,300 career rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, Robinson is a proven force.
At 26 years old and entering the final year of his rookie deal with a $3.62 million cap hit, Robinson is a cost-effective gem. For a Cowboys team seeking a reliable starter or high-end rotational back, he’s an ideal fit.
To pry Robinson from Washington, Dallas could offer a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick that upgrades to a fifth if Robinson surpasses 900 scrimmage yards in 2025. The running back market has been notoriously soft—D’Andre Swift, a younger back with more receiving upside, fetched just a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round swap in a recent deal. This proposal is generous but realistic, balancing Robinson’s value with the Cowboys’ need.
Since Tony Pollard’s departure, Dallas’ backfield depth has been a revolving door. Relying on a committee risks overburdening quarterback Dak Prescott, who thrives when supported by a strong run game. Robinson’s arrival could stabilize the position and give the offense the balance it desperately needs.
Robinson’s skill set aligns seamlessly with the Cowboys’ offensive identity under coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Known for leaning on inside-zone and duo concepts paired with play-action keepers, Schottenheimer’s scheme plays to Robinson’s strengths as a decisive, physical runner with soft hands. His 2023 receiving production—36 catches for 368 yards—adds a dimension Dallas has lacked in recent years.
With Robinson entering unrestricted free agency in 2026, he’s motivated to perform and secure a lucrative long-term deal. A strong season in Dallas could convince the Cowboys to lock him up, ensuring stability at the position for years to come.
Inter-divisional trades are a rarity in the NFL, especially between heated rivals like the Cowboys and Commanders. Yet, if Dallas presents an offer Washington can’t refuse, the deal could materialize. Robinson’s combination of youth, production, and affordability makes him a tantalizing target for a Cowboys team looking to make a statement in 2025.