Redskins Sign Peyton Barber Despite Really Not Needing This Many Running Backs

Ron Rivera and the Washington Redskins have been focusing on the running back position this offseason. Adrian Peterson had his 2020 team option exercised, and the team also signed JD McKissic.

That gave the team an already crowded running backs room. The Redskins decided to increase the competition even more by signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Peyton Barber to a two-year deal.

Peyton Barber to the Redskins on a two-year deal, per source. Bucs’ 2018 leading rusher enters Washington fray.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 24, 2020

Barber spent four years with the Bucs, and posted 470 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. The odd part about the signing is that he is now the sixth running back on the roster. Barber joins Peterson, McKissic, Derrius Guice, Bryce Love, and Josh Ferguson.

Ferguson is the only one out of that group that may not expect to receive much playing time in 2020.

Redskins signing Peyton Barber, per @JFowlerESPN. That’s now AP, Guice, McKissic Barber and Bryce Love. All 5 aren’t making the team. Not much guaranteed cash for Barber but lots of competition at RB
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 24, 2020

Peterson should be a lock to make the roster. After that, the position is up for grabs. Guice was supposed to be the star back, but he has only appeared in five career games since 2018 due to several knee injuries. Love was drafted last year and missed his entire rookie season because of a knee injury of his own.

At this rate, just staying healthy is the key to earn playing time as a running back in Washington and the team is adding plenty of depth after years of losing young players to injuries. Some added competition at the position is perhaps the right insurance policy, but keeping a half-dozen backs on your roster when it's unclear whether offseason workouts will be able to take place at all as scheduled due to COVID-19? It's just a bit odd.