Jaguars' highly-touted sophomore could lose starting gig to cheap free agent

As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for the 2026 season, the team’s backfield will look noticeably different. Travis Etienne Jr. left the team in free agency to join the New Orleans Saints, so Jacksonville will need someone else to carry the workload.

Second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten is believed to be the next man up. After a promising rookie season where he served as the backup running back for the Jags, it would make sense for him to claim the starting job. However, Tuten could have the role snatched right out of his reach.

Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will compete for Jaguars' starting running back spot

In a recent ESPN piece, its NFL staff laid out 100 things to know about the 2026 season. With a section dedicated to 10 position battles to watch, Tuten vs. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was highlighted as a noteworthy competition.

ESPN explained that Jacksonville will likely lean on a rotation of guys, highlighting LeQuint Allen Jr. as well. However, the writer argued the Jaguars need “someone to emerge as a dangerous ball carrier,” and it will either be Tuten or Rodriguez.

The Jaguars have a pair of intriguing options in Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez

Bhayshul Tuten is entering year two with the team, and as a rookie, he played in 15 games, carrying the ball 83 times for 307 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 10 receptions for 79 yards and two additional touchdowns. His total output trailed only Etienne and Trevor Lawrence.

Sure, Tuten left a bit to be desired with his average of 3.7 yards per carry. Having said that, his subpar average stemmed from the fact that he got the ball more often in short-down situations than Etienne. If given more opportunities, the former Virginia Tech Hokie should have no trouble showing out. For proof, he managed to rack up 51 yards on just four totes against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.

Chris Rodriguez, on the other hand, just spent three years with the Washington Commanders after being drafted by them in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In three seasons, he carried the ball 198 times for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding just six receptions for 54 yards.

The veteran rusher is coming off his best season, posting career highs in carries (112), rushing yards (500), and touchdowns (6). That landed him a two-year deal worth $10 million in Jacksonville, where he reunites with Liam Coen, who coached him at Kentucky.

It's important to point out that his statline probably doesn't pop off the stat sheet, but his average of 4.0 yards after contact ranked second in the league. On top of that, he had a rushing success rate of 45.5 percent, good for eighth among running backs.

Ultimately, Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are unproven, but both of them have flashed promise. They'll now get to compete against each other for the lead role. While they will both get a nice amount of carries, only one can be the top guy.

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