Prior to the 2025 season, San Francisco was hit hard by injuries. The franchise is looking for a year of bounceback after finishing 6-11 in 2024.
Last season, the 49ers running Christian McCaffrey missed 13 games due to injuries. He was relatively healthy this offseason, but his backups are listed in the injury report. So San Francisco traded with commander to acquire RB Brian Robinson Jr. Washington, and in the process it acquired its sixth pick in 2026. Now, Robinson will play the final year of his rookie contract as a member of the 49ers.
Brian Robinson Jr. was traded for the 49ers
Commander will replace RB Brian Robinson Jr. with the 49ers on his sixth pick of 2026. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mihekharafolo)) pic.twitter.com/zmcxz8divo
– nfl (@nfl) August 22, 2025
On the third pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the commander selected Brian Robinson Jr. from Alabama. In his three seasons at Washington, Robinson played in 41 games and scored 37 starts. In 2024 he played in 14 of the Commander’s 17 regular season games. He started 13 times and carried the ball 187 times with 799 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. But Washington has the talent of a young RB that they are willing to go.
So the team swapped Brian Robinson Jr. for the 49ers over the weekend. After becoming a full-time starter for the past two seasons, Robinson becomes San Francisco’s backup. Christian McCaffrey is healthier than in the 2025 season. However, there is always a chance he will miss time due to an injury. If that happens, the commander has a quality backup to Brian Robinson Jr.
RB Brian Robinson Jr. replaced with San Francisco 49ers pic.twitter.com/hdyqoxi3yt
– Washington Commander (@commanders) August 24, 2025
The 26-year-old RB is set to enter the final season of his rookie contract. Robinson is expected to make $2.2 million for the 2025 season. If the 49ers don’t offer him an extension during the season, Robinson will become an unlimited free agent. Before the 49ers acquired Robinson, Isaac Gelend was set to be a backup for McCaffrey in 2025.
Brian Robinson Jr. did not play during Washington’s final preseason game. This signaled the commnaders to the end of his time. Soon he was traded for the 49ers. Sources revealed that the commander had been shopping for Robinson during August and eventually signed a contract with San Francisco. The 49ers will open the 2025 season on the road in Week 1 with the Seattle Seahawks.
