How the Fourth-Year Veteran Could Win the Jaguars Starting RB Job in 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars running back core will look a lot different as we get closer to the start of the 2026 NFL season. After losing former first-round selection and Louisiana native Travis Etienne in free agency to the New Orleans Saints, the Jaguars looked to move in a different direction, with some believing that they actually improved. The team has three main running backs entering 2026, with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten defying all the odds and leading the charge to be the starter. However, general manager James Gladstone made one low-risk, high-reward signing during free agency that could shake things up. The team signed former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., meaning some fresh competition is entering training camp.
While Rodriguez is still currently recovering from a foot injury last season, he is expected to be back and healthy for training camp. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski praised the signing, having high hopes for his role due to Rodriguez’s physicality and ability to make defenders miss. In three seasons as the main backup for the Commanders, the former Wildcat racked up 920 rushing yards on 198 attempts, while also collecting 13 total touchdowns. Last season, the veteran finished eighth among all running backs in average yards after contact, meaning his physicality is a trait that the Jaguars do not want to waste.
Despite Jacksonville having two younger running back options in Tuten and LeQuint Allen, head coach Liam Coen may look towards an older option to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence and an experienced offense succeed at the next level. Rodriguez has been on successful playoff teams before, experiencing the Commanders’ run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. If he can fully recover from the nagging foot injury and compete with the likes of Tuten and Allen in camp, it should be no question that he could steal that starting role. The Jaguars are expecting to be right back in that Super Bowl contender mix this season, and having an inexperienced running back as their main choice would immediately make some heads turn away. If Rodriguez gets the job, he has enough experience for fans and analysts to trust his ability to make the right plays and do what’s best for the team moving forward.
