The Jacksonville Jaguars took their time but have at last made their first external signing of this free-agency cycle, bringing in former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez on a two-year deal. While this isn't the kind of move that will turn the Jags into a Super Bowl contender, it comes with plenty of value.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported that Rodriguez's deal with Jacksonville is for two years and is worth up to $10 million. That's way less than what the four-year, $52 milllion contract Travis Etienne got from the New Orleans Saints.
Granted, Rodriguez isn't nearly as accomplished as Etienne, but he gives the Jaguars plenty of bang for their buck. On top of that, it sends the unmistakable message that Bhayshul Tuten is the undisputable No. 1 in their backfield.
The Jaguars are high on Bhayshul Tuten ahead of Year 2
Following the 2025 NFL Draft, a report surfaced that the Jaguars brought in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. because they weren't completely sold on either Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby. While Etienne ended up winning the No. 1, Bigsby was shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks into the season.
With Etienne now gone, Tuten has a clear path to become RB1 on the depth chart. Sure, the coaching staff will want him to win the job, but the truth is that he showed big-play capability in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, toting the rock four times for 51 yards. On top of that, he took care of his biggest concern coming out of college.
Although Tuten tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine, his inability to hold onto the football raised doubts, having lost nine fumbles in his last two seasons at Virginia Tech.
Granted, Tuten averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry and fumbled twice as a rookie. However, he saw limited playing time and wasn't able to get in the zone as Etienne's understudy. Now, he'll get a chance to showcase his full potential. This takes us to Chris Rodriguez.
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Rodriguez was on the fringe to start the 2025 season. However, he made the most of his chances after fellow running back Austin Ekeler went down with an injury. In 13 games with seven starts, the former Kentucky Wildcat recorded 500 yards and six rushing touchdowns. The Jaguars could use that kind of production behind Tuten.
Chris Rodriguez gives the Jaguars an intriguing backfield partner for Bhayshul Tuten
In three NFL seasons, Chris Rodriguez has racked up a combined 198 rushes for 920 yards. Those kinds of numbers don't pop off the stat sheet, but the Jaguars didn't pay him because of his past production, but because of what he's capable of doing with more opportunities.
Sure, you could make the case that Rodriguez is somewhat of an unproven commodity, but his limited sample was enough to convince the Jags to give him a two-year deal. In Jacksonville, he could be the backfield complement to Bhayshul Tuten, who's poised for a featured role with Travis Etienne out of the mix.
Of course, there's a chance that either Bhayshul Tuten or Chris Rodriguez won't live up to expectations. But if the Jaguars weren't confident in them, they would've unrolled a different strategy in free agency.