Are coaches trusting Antonio Gibson more?

Is Antonio Gibson, the running back for the Commanders, finally earning the trust of his coaches?

Gibson achieved over 1,000 rushing yards in 2021, but his six fumbles left coaches uncertain about his overall contributions.

With the return of Brian Robinson Jr. in 2022, Gibson saw a significant decrease in rushing attempts, dropping from 258 to 149.

There was high anticipation for Gibson with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy from Kansas City, as it was expected that Bieniemy would utilize Gibson’s skills early and often.

However, Gibson’s fumbles in crucial moments, including the season opener against the Cardinals and consecutive losses to the Bills and Eagles, have limited his opportunities on the field.

Despite this, Gibson has maintained an impressive average of 4.8 yards per carry on his limited rushing attempts.

In the last two games, Gibson has also shown promise in the passing game with five receptions in each game, showcasing his versatility on the field.

Sick move by Antonio Gibson to spin out of this tackle pic.twitter.com/Rtttj1utag

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) November 5, 2023

In the recent game against the Patriots, Gibson recorded a season-high of 11 touches, showcasing his potential with 76 yards from scrimmage.

His agility and open-field ability have not gone unnoticed, leading to speculation about Bieniemy’s increasing confidence in Gibson’s capabilities.

Utilizing a quick passing game to get the ball to Gibson could be a strategic move for the Commanders, forcing the defense to react and potentially opening up opportunities for the team’s offense.

If Bieniemy and the team continue to incorporate Gibson into the game plan, it could lead to a significant boost for the Commanders’ offense.