The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they have signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
According to Tom Pelissero, this is a two-year deal for Rodriguez that is worth $10 million and includes $6.2 million guaranteed. Rodriguez can earn up to $12 million with incentives.
This is the first outside signing made by the Jaguars during this free agency period.
Here are three things to know about the newest Jaguars’ running back.
Chris Rodriguez’s 2025 season
Rodriguez was a sixth-round pick by Washington in 2023. After having relatively small roles in 2023 and 2024, his role expanded in 2025, which included Rodriguez calling the ball 112 times.
He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, with six touchdowns, per PFF. Rodriguez proved tough to bring down as well, ranking eighth among all back ins average yards after contact.
Rodriguez has very little pass-catching experience at the NFL level, with only six receptions over three seasons.
Familiarity with Liam Coen
Rodriguez played his college ball at Kentucky, which partially overlapped with Liam Coen’s tenure with the team when he was the offensive coordinator. As noted on the Jaguars’ team site, Rodriguez’s most productive college season came with Coen calling the plays.
What will Chris Rodriguez’s role be with the Jaguars?
At that contract amount, he is likely going to factor into the offense in some capacity. In what is a young Jaguars’ running back room led by Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen, Rodriguez’s presence can provide some experience to that position group.
What I’ll be curious to see is his role in the passing game. The ability to contribute in that phase of the game is important to the Coen offense. Otherwise, perhaps Rodriguez shares the early down role with Tuten, while Allen continues to shoulder the passing game responsibilities at the running back position.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 3 takeaways from Jaguars signing RB Chris Rodriguez
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
