Commanders' Kliff Kingsbury 'Really Pleased' With 'One-Two Punch' At RB

A running back is a quarterback's best friend, and even more so when that quarterback is a rookie. For Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, he doesn't have just one dependable back; he has two.

With Brian Robinson Jr. becoming a bruising runner since entering the league and Austin Ekeler being added to the roster in free agency, Daniels has one of the better one-two punches in football behind him.

While Ekeler had a down year for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, his talent is still undeniable, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury detailed that he's pleased to have two high-quality backs to use in his system in 2024.

"Yeah, a down year and then I watch him [Ekeler] and I'm like, 'This guy is tremendous.' So, I'm not sure what it was last year, but he hasn't lost a step," Kingsbury said . "He's as quick, and as fast and as strong as I've seen him. Have just been really pleased. I didn't study him much in free agency. I didn't think he'd be there and he was there late, and once we got him, 'This is unbelievable that we got this guy and he is in this form.' The compliment of him and B-Rob is great. You have a power back who has great hands and then you have a quick twitch smaller guy who's been a 100-catch guy in the NFL. So, couldn't be more pleased with that one two punch and the different things that we'll be able to do with both those guys."

With Robinson Jr., the hammer, and Ekeler, the lightning-quick change-up who can also double as a bonafide receiver, the Commanders have many levers they can pull.

In 2021 and 2022, Ekeler had over 1,500 yards from scrimmage, as his talents as a runner and receiver were evident. But in 2023, for some reason, he didn't hit those same heights, only registering 1,064 yards from scrimmage and having his fewest rushing attempts since 2020.

But now, with a Commanders offense that is desperate to use him in any way they can, Ekeler could be about to rediscover the form that had him as one of the best dual-threat backs in football.

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Whats more, with Robinson Jr. also doing his thing, Ekeler won't be asked to be the bell-cow on offense, instead coming in and out of the game, which will keep him fresh.

And that can only mean good things for Daniels and the Commanders' offense in 2024.