{"id":811010,"date":"2026-03-14T02:35:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T02:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/811010\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T02:35:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T02:35:27","slug":"jaguars-sign-running-back-chris-rodriguez-jr-lwos-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/811010\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaguars Sign Running Back Chris Rodriguez Jr. – LWOS NFL"},"content":{"rendered":"

So far in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> have been relatively quiet, only signing their own players, Montaric Brown<\/a> and Dennis Gardeck<\/a> to contract extensions<\/a>, as well as restructuring the contracts of Eric Murray<\/a>, <\/a>Robert Hainsey<\/a>, <\/a>Jourdan Lewis<\/a>, and <\/a>Patrick Mekari<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

After the restructuring of Patrick Mekari, the Jaguars had enough cap space remaining to make a move. Shortly after, they made their first outside free agent signing in running back Chris Rodriguez Jr<\/a>. After the loss of veteran running back Travis Etienne<\/a>, the Jaguars quickly pivoted to a more physical back to complement Bhayshul Tuten<\/a>. According to Tom Pelissero<\/a>, the contract will be a two-year, $10 million contract with $6.2 million guaranteed and an additional $2 million in potential incentives.<\/p>\n

Jaguars Sign Running Back Chris Rodriguez Jr.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez Jr. is a much more physical runner than the Jaguars have had in recent years at the position and will provide an extra element to the offense. Over his three-year career, he averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and scored 10 touchdowns, seven of which were inside the five-yard line.<\/p>\n

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Chris Rodriguez pic.twitter.com\/MSQeEAluaG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite having just 112 carries in 2025, Rodriguez Jr. had 333 yards after contact, broke 13 tackles, and averaged three yards per attempt after contact. For reference, Etienne had 148 more carries in 2025, but broke just 10 tackles and averaged 2.1 yards after contact per attempt. Bhayshul Tuten\u2019s speed downhill and outside the numbers on early downs, paired with Rodriguez Jr.\u2019s physical strength on later downs and short yardage situations, will help open things up for the Jaguars offense.<\/p>\n

The Jaguars have now positioned themselves nicely heading into the NFL draft, eliminating a potential pick in the later rounds that can now be allocated elsewhere. This move is a low-risk, high-reward for the Jaguars that can improve the weakest area of their offense, manage the remaining cap space, and receive a compensatory pick for losing Travis Etienne<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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