

Last season, the Washington Commanders struggled with their rushing offense. They ended up 27th in the NFL rankings. They’re in dire need of a stronger running back. Despite hopes pinned on him, Brian Robinson hasn’t entirely lived up to expectations during his first two years in the league. This past season, his performance fell short, tallying just 733 yards and five TDs, with an average of 4.1 yards per carry.
Adding to their concerns, Antonio Gibson, another key player in the backfield, is heading into free agency. With uncertainty looming, Washington urgently requires additional support for Robinson, who may be unable to carry the burden independently. Could the Eagles have an answer to head coach Dan Quinn’s running back woes?
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Eagles show no interest in retaining D’Andre Swift
Washington might pursue D’Andre Swift, who is poised to hit free agency. His rookie contract is set to expire, and the Eagles have shown no interest in retaining him. Although Swift has shone brightly for the Eagles, his asking price might exceed what Philadelphia typically invests in RBs.
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The Washington Commanders are expected to have interest in signing Eagles free agent D'Andre Swift.
Swift had 1,049 yards rushing and 5 TDs this past season. pic.twitter.com/yT9mnVBF3Y
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 1, 2024
However, with its substantial cap space, Josh Harris could be able to make a competitive offer. According to speculations, Swift could command a contract in the ballpark of three years for $18 million, a figure that could fit well within Washington’s financial flexibility.
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If Swift joins the ranks of the Commanders, the next question will be if he can replicate his success in Philly.
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Can Swift top his breakout year?
D’Andre Swift had quite a year with the Eagles, showing everyone what he’s made of as he carried a heavier load in the backfield. Hitting career highs in rushing yards, he topped 1,000 for the first time and got over 200 carries. Swift has proved he’s got the chops to be a primary back. It was a significant change from his time with the Lions, where he had to share the spotlight with other RBs.

USA Today via Reuters
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. (33) and linebacker Zaven Collins (25) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
But even with Swift’s stellar performance, the Eagles’ rushing game wasn’t as strong as in previous seasons. Despite racking up yards before contact, they struggled to make much happen after contact, landing dead last in that category. This hints that Swift’s success wasn’t all about him – the O-line played a big role too.
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The big question is whether Swift can keep up his momentum, especially if he ends up with a team like Washington, which is still figuring things out offensively, especially at QB. Unlike the Eagles, who had a solid supporting cast, Washington’s offense struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league. It’s difficult for Swift to navigate, especially considering he wasn’t a household name until his breakout year in Philly.
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