Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Jay Gruden thinks Chris Thompson is the NFL’s best third-down back

Washington Redskins v Chicago Bears

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs the football into the endzone for his second touchdown in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Washington coach Jay Gruden thinks he has the NFL’s best third-down back on his roster.

Chris Thompson, who had 68 carries for 356 yards and three touchdowns last season and added 49 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns, is as good as it gets in the third-down role, according to Gruden.

“I think Chris Thompson’s role is big,” Gruden said, via CSNMidAtlantic.com. “When you’re talking about third downs, that’s the most important down in football. There’s nobody better as a third-down back in my opinion than Chris. He’s got a huge role on this football team.”

With rookie Samaje Perine joining last year’s top two rushers, Rob Kelley and Matt Jones, it would be easy to envision Thompson’s role being reduced. But Gruden sees Thompson having a key role.