The San Francisco 49ers added another running back to the mix.
They sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders to land Brian Robinson Jr.
When asked about that, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that he had always been a big fan of him, disclosing that they fully expect him to be their secondary running back (via KNBR):
“We brought him here to be our two back. Always been a big fan of Brian, loved him coming out of college… We were pumped that he was available and we were pumped that we were able to get him,” he said.
“We brought him here to be our two back. Always been a big fan of Brian, loved him coming out of college… We were pumped that he was available and we were pumped that we were able to get him.”
Kyle Shanahan on the 49ers acquisition of Brian Robinson Jr. pic.twitter.com/XjMaQkZapl
— KNBR (@KNBR) August 24, 2025
The Niners have one of the most dynamic weapons in the game.
Unfortunately, Christian McCaffrey has a long history of injuries, and they need to keep him fresh for when it matters most.
Adding Robinson will surely help in that regard, as he’s more than used to being the primary ball-carrier.
Kyle Shanahan’s offense has always favored a strong running offense, and while Robinson hasn’t necessarily been the most efficient back, he can certainly take plenty of pressure off McCaffrey’s shoulders.
Also, this will be the first time he will get to play in that type of run-heavy offense, and sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery and system for a player to be at his best.
This was the ultimate low-risk/high-reward move from the Niners.
If it doesn’t work out, he’s going to be a free agent at the end of the season anyway, and it’s not like he’s making a lot of money.
Even if he doesn’t put up video game-like numbers, just having him there gives them an insurance policy for their superstar running back, and that’s worth every single penny.
NEXT: Colin Cowherd Has A Big Question About Brock Purdy
