(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Antonio Gibson and Washington Commanders fans had high hopes for him last season, but his usage and production were mostly underwhelming.
Now, with Eric Bieniemy as their new offensive coordinator and play-caller, things could finally take a positive turn for the former third-round pick.
Gibson used to play at wide receiver before making it to the league, and he’s been fairly inconsistent in the NFL, alternating great seasons with disappointing ones.
Add Brian Robinson to the mix, and chances are that Gibson’s opportunities to dominate out of the backfield will be more limited going forward.
That’s why Gibson recently voiced his frustration for not being involved in the passing game as much as he liked, adding that he was promised some opportunities to line out wide, and that hasn’t been the case thus far.
Gibson wants to be more than just a change-of-pace third-down back, and he knows he can provide another dimension to the offense by lining up at wide receiver:
“Hopefully, this year, it comes around to where I get to showcase on multiple occasions what I can do out there,” he said, per NFL.com. “First, I love being out there. I have fun out there, and once I get the ball in open space, I’m really that guy. At running back, I’m not going to say it’s not (possible), because I’ve seen a lot of guys do it, but those opportunities are not there. Once you catch the ball in that open field, you got so much more space.”
Commanders’ Antonio Gibson wants to line up more at WR in 2023: “Every year we talk about it, but it hasn’t happened”https://t.co/nMNQ38AstW pic.twitter.com/wCGrqY3PQK
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 14, 2023
His 2022 season was disappointing from the start, fumbling in the preseason and then failing to make a positive impact while Robinson was out nursing an injury.
Bieniemy should rely heavily upon his second-year back, but he’s known for being creative and an out-of-the-box kind of thinker when he’s designing his offense, so there’s a chance he’ll grant Gibson his wish of being lined up out wide to maximize his production.
The Commanders are a bit of a question mark next season with Sam Howell under center, and a revamped running game could definitely ease things up for the second-year QB.
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