The Washington Commanders' 2025 season ended earlier this month with a 24-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. They finished with a 5-12 record -- a dramatic slump compared to the 12-5 run in 2024 -- and they're set to spend the next few months trying to build up and improve the roster to reclaim that success.
Though we don't have any say in how the new front office will mold the team going forward, Commanders.com will look back at how each group performed last season, breaking down top performers and looking ahead at where they could go next. The running backs are first on the list.
On the roster
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Chase Edmonds
Jeremy McNichols
Chris Rodriguez Jr.^
Austin Ekeler
*Pending unrestricted free agent
^Pending restricted free agent
Top performers (per Pro Football Focus)
OVR: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (74.9)
RUN: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (78.4)
RECV: Jeremy McNichols (60.5)
Stats to know
-- The Commanders had a strong rushing offense for the second straight season, ranking fourth in the league with 134.7 yards on the ground per game. While the loss of Ekeler for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon forced the Commanders to change their plans, they still tied for fourth in the league with 4.7 yards per carry and eighth in rushing touchdowns (20). Even more impressive was that the Commanders pulled this off with just 345 combined carries from their running backs.
-- The Commanders believe they found a steal with former seventh-round pick Croskey-Merritt, who led the team with 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries. Croskey-Merritt was by far one of the best running backs in his class, as his rushing yards ranked fifth among rookies and his eight touchdowns came in second behind TreVeyon Henderson.
Questions to answer
-- What's next for Croskey-Merritt? Croskey-Merritt said during the team's locker room cleanout day that he is looking forward to hearing his coaches' feedback and using that to improve for his second season. The rookie has plenty to work on, particularly as a pass-catcher with just 68 yards on nine receptions. The good news is that there is a foundation for Croskey-Merritt to build on, as he had four games with at least 80 rushing yards and 362 yards after contact. Croskey-Merritt has the potential to be the Commanders' starting running back in 2026, but he'll need a strong offseason to do so.
-- Bill and who else? Croskey-Merritt is set to be the only running back on the Commanders' roster when the new league year begins in March. Rodriguez is a restricted free agent, which means that the Commanders have the right to match any offer he receives in free agency. Rodriguez could come back, but the Commanders would still need to add to the room even if he does re-sign with them. There are some intriguing players set to be available, including Najee Harris, Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams. However, what players the Commanders target will depend on new offensive coordinator David Blough's vision for the offense.
Free agency
Click HERE to see all the players the Commanders could pursue in free agency with their available cap space.
Draft
Click HERE to see Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board of draft prospects.
