After an impressive 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to load up on talent in the offseason. However, they chose a deliberate approach, mostly focusing on re-signing their own players. In the end, the only external player the Jags inked was Chris Rodriguez.
While signing Rodriguez wasn't the kind of move that will send shockwaves across the league, it could most definitely have a huge impact in 2025.
The Jaguars may have signed found in Chris Rodriguez
The Jaguars let running back Travis Etienne walk in free agency in part because they had sophomore Bhayshul Tuten in the fold. Nevertheless, they needed a No. 2 who could take some of the workload off of him. Enter Chris Rodriguez.
A sixth-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2023, Rodriguez barely saw the field in his first two seasons. But injuries pressed him into action, and he didn't disappoint, toting the rock 112 times for 500 yards with six touchdowns. Without a doubt, those are solid stats, but they don't tell the whole story.
Rodriguez was way more productive than his statline suggests. His average of 4.0 yards per carry ranked second among 48th running backs. Similarly, he ranked eighth with a rushing success rate of 45.8 percent. This is why the Jags could end up with a steal after signing him to a two-year deal worth $10 million.
Contrary to what some analysts may suggest, though, Rodriguez probably won't be RB1. That role will go to Bhayshul Tuten. That said, he should still see a substantial workload in Jacksonville.
Keep in mind that Jaguars head coach Liam Coen already coached Rodriguez when he was at Kentucky in 2021. In fact, he broke out under Coen, racking up 225 carries for 1,379 yards with nine touchdowns.
Now, Rodriguez is reunited with Coen, and nobody would bat an eye if he has a banner season even if he sits behind Tuten on the depth chart.
Chris Rodriguez will be able to build his stock at Jaguars OTAs
Last year, the new Jaguars regime wasn't seemingly sold on Travis Etienne, but he changed their mind with a strong offseason. Chris Rodriguez will get a similar chance, and he'll have a prime opportunity to make a strong impression at Organized Team Activities.
Heck, players who went on to have big roles in 2025 began to build their stock during OTAs, and Rodriguez won't be any different. One thing that he's got going in his favor is that he already showed with the Commanders that he can be a featured back. On the other hand, the Riverdale, Georgia native won't be handed a job. He'll need to fend off veteran DeeJay Dallas, sophomore LeQuint Allen Jr., and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor.
Of course, the Jaguars expect Rodriguez to make an impact. Otherwise, they wouldn't have signed him in free agency. He'll have his first chance to separate himself from the bunch and vie for the No. 2 job behind Bhayshul Tuten during Organized Team Activities. Along the way, he'll show why Jacksonville doesn't need to bring in another running back.
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