Washington is reportedly expected to sign free agent running back Austin Ekeler, a move that hits a little different when you remember it was the Commanders who pulled off that infuriating upset win against our Seahawks in Week 3. Yeah, the same Commanders squad whose running back production was, let’s be real, absolutely lackluster in that very game. Talk about a gut punch that just keeps on giving.
That Week 3 Rushing Attack Was a Disaster, Even When It Beat Us
You remember that Week 3 loss, right? The one where the Commanders somehow scraped by us to get to 1-2 on the season, avoiding an 0-3 start? Well, here’s the kicker, 12s: their running game was a complete no-show. We’re talking about a team where literally *no* player broke 36 rushing yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ground out a measly 36 yards on a whopping 19 carries, while Rachaad White managed just 35 yards on 8 attempts. One solitary 19-yard run from White was the only moment that vaguely resembled an NFL run play. It’s enough to make you rip your hair out! We lost to a team that couldn’t even run the ball effectively, which just makes that whole defeat sting even more. This signing, honestly, just confirms what we all saw firsthand: their backfield was in serious, serious trouble.
Ekeler’s Reunion: Desperation Move or Game Changer?
Now, Ekeler is reportedly making his return to Washington after recovering from an Achilles tear. Get this: he even visited the Carolina Panthers recently before deciding to head back to a familiar franchise. You know Ekeler’s resume: the dude racked up 4,765 rushing yards and another 4,288 receiving yards in his NFL career. He’s been one of the league’s better dual-threat beasts. But let’s be clear, last season he only played in two games, putting up 43 rushing yards on 14 attempts and catching five of seven targets for 38 receiving yards. The Commanders are clearly banking on him to provide some much-needed stability, especially with how questionable Croskey-Merritt and White have been so far this season. Croskey-Merritt has only managed 142 rushing yards on 47 attempts, and White’s got 100 yards on 22 attempts for the entire season. Ekeler might not be in his prime, but he’s gotta be a significant upgrade from *that* kind of production, right?
What This Means for Our Hawks Moving Forward
Honestly, this whole move just puts a giant spotlight on the struggles of the Commanders’ backfield, and it makes that Week 3 upset even tougher to swallow for us here in the Emerald City. It’s frustrating knowing our Hawks lost to a team that immediately needed to sign a veteran running back coming off an Achilles tear just to fix their run game. It’s a loud and clear reminder for our squad that we’ve gotta bring that absolute A-game every single Sunday if we want to compete. As we move further into this regular season, we need to show the league what real toughness and consistency look like. Let’s make sure those early season stumbles become learning moments, not defining ones. C’mon, Hawks, let’s turn it up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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