WFT News: Antonio Gibson Showing Serious Improvement After Rookie Season

The Washington Football Team shocked a lot of people around the NFL last season. While they finished the season with a 7-9 record, it was good enough for them to win the NFC East. If Washington wants to continue its success into 2021, it could use another impressive performance from sophomore running back Antonio Gibson.

The good news for Washington fans is that Gibson has continued to blossom into the offseason and it's getting attention from the coaching staff. Head coach Ron Rivera even went as far as saying that Gibson looks more mature and has "a better feel and understanding" of what his role is.

Washington Football Team News

Rivera went on to say that Gibson is looking like a veteran and that he has the intangibles that coaches look for in players who've been around longer. However, the praise wasn't only coming from Rivera.

Washington running back coach Randy Jordan said that he's been noticing improvements in Gibson's route running this offseason and his play is "like night and day" compared to his rookie campaign. However, he said the work doesn't end there because Gibson does have other areas of his game that need to be worked on.

"The biggest thing for him [Gibson] is continuing to progress, not only as a runner but as a pass-catcher."

- Randy Jordan, WFT RB Coach

Gibson made just 36 receptions for 247 receiving yards in 2020, which averages out to 6.9 yards per reception and 17.6 yards per game. He was a fantastic receiver in college, though, so he clearly has some untapped potential in that regard.

Even if his pass-catching left a lot to be desired last year, he still ended his rookie season with 795 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

As the offseason continues, Washington has the second-best odds to win the NFC East at +260, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys (+110), according to FanDuel Sportsbook. That said, Gibson will need to have a monstrous season if he wants to help his team go on a championship run.

Washington's +5000 odds to win Super Bowl 56 ranks T-22nd among the rest of the NFL.

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