Rams fans get free comedy as 49ers fumble into desperate Brian Robinson trade

The Los Angeles Rams have enjoyed a cornucopia of talent at the running back position. It’s something new and unfamiliar for fans who’ve struggled to rally around a thin backfield in the past. But 2025 is a new NFL season, and the team has arguably four or more running backs who could make the 53-man roster. Someone will likely not remain with the team.

The San Francisco 49ers seem to be struggling at the opposite end of the spectrum. Their offense has often been one of the league’s incubation chambers for running backs who now populate backfields across the NFL. But 2025 is not shaping up that way for the NFC West rivals.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Niners have agreed to trade a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders for running back Brian Robinson Jr. The 26-year-old has been Washington’s starter for the past three seasons but has never topped 800 rushing yards in a season. In two playoff games, he totaled 129 yards and two touchdowns, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

Rams fans can't help but laugh at 49ers' panic trade

Many NFL analysts are back aboard the 49ers hype train after their disappointing 6-11 finish. To support the optimistic projections, they’ve pointed to a last-place schedule, a wave of injured players returning, and a stable roster that knows how to win.

But two significant trades that their front office has engineered tell a different story. The addition of Robinson does afford their team a legitimate backup running back. But he was already on the roster bubble, and the 49ers just traded for a player that patience could have delivered in four days.

The same front office also traded for former Chiefs WR Skyy Moore, immediately penciling him in as a backup. Could these moves work out? Sure. But they carry the stench of desperation you usually see when Plan A is crumbling. Robinson doesn’t just take a roster spot — he needs reps, and arriving this late in the offseason makes that tougher.

Furthermore, they signed WR Andy Isabella to a contract only to release him six days later. The same team that signed WR Equanimeous St. Brown, only to cut him nine days later. He was re-signed and released again with an injury settlement. That’s not a strategy. That’s panic.

The thing is, he has no experience in Kyle Shanahan's offense. That seems to be a pattern they’re fine living with this season. If that doesn’t spark some chortles and chuckles among Rams fans, nothing will. As always, thanks for reading.

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