It took them a while, but the Jacksonville Jaguars just made their first external signing of free agency. After watching Travis Etienne leave for the New Orleans Saints, they're adding a running back to pair with Bhayshul Tuten.
On the first official day of free agency, the Jags have signed former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez.
The Jaguars signed Chris Rodriguez to pair with Bhayshul Tuten
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Jaguars are signing running back Chris Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $10 million with $6.2 million in guarantees. Earlier the same day, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports broke the news that Washington wasn't tendering Rodriguez, which effectively allowed him to test free agency. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN and other outlets confirmed the move around the same time.
In 13 games with seven starts last season, Rodriguez logged 500 yards with six touchdowns. He now joins a backfield that includes Bhayshul Tuten, DeeJay Dallas, and LeQuint Allen Jr.
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Rodriguez was in the fringy to start the season, but once fellow running back Austin Ekeler got hurt, he got hurt, he was thrust into action and made the most out of it.
But as promising as the former Kentucky Wildcat was, Washington wasn't interested in signing him to a one-year tender, maybe because general manager Adam Peters inherited him from the previous regime.
Now, Rodriguez gets the chance in Jacksonville to show that his production in 2025 wasn't a fluke but rather a sign of things to come.
What's next for the Jaguars after signing Chris Rodriguez
After signing Chris Rodriguez, it's hard to see the Jaguars adding another running back in the draft. After all, they already had Bhayshul Tuten, DeeJay Dallas, and LeQuint Allen Jr.
The fact that the team's brass didn't target a top-tier running back in free agency shows that Jacksonville is confident that Tuten can fill the void left by Travis Etienne's departure to the New Orleans Saints.
Of course, neither Tuten nor Rodriguez will be handed a job. They'll need to earn him, but after signing the latter, the Jaguars' backfield is complete. Now, the front office can turn its focus to addressing the interior defensive line and the pass rush.
Maybe the Jaguars can target someone like A'Shawn Robinson to fortify their interior trenches. On the other hand, Arnold Ebiketie is one of many pass rushers who are still available and could round out the rotation behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Of course, they could also consider making another push to acquire Maxx Crosby after the Baltimore Ravens backed out of their original trade.
It may not have been a splash signing but the Jaguars are starting to make moves in free agency to address the larger scale roster.