After the Jacksonville Jaguars lost running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, head coach Liam Coen needed another player for his run game. Well, it looks like Coen found his running back, a player he coached in college.
Jaguars Sign Former Commanders RB to $12M Deal
On Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report posted on X that the Jaguars had reached a two-year, $12 million deal with former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Schultz wrote, “Source: It’s a two-year deal worth up to $12M for Chris Rodriguez Jr. and the Jaguars. CRod reunites with his college OC, Liam Coen.”
Source: It’s a two-year deal worth up to $12M for Chris Rodriguez Jr. and the #Jaguars.
CRod reunites with his college OC Liam Coen. https://t.co/BCUvTM7D4U
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2026
Rodriguez, 26, rushed for 920 yards and scored 10 touchdowns while playing for the Commanders. Coen served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Kentucky in 2021, when Rodriguez played for the Wildcats.
According to the PFSN NFL RB Impact Metric, which is measured on the basis of the regular season, Rodriguez had an impact score of 66.9 and graded out to a D. In the 2025 NFL regular season for the Commanders, he had 112 carries for 500 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt.
Rodriguez was drafted in the sixth round out of Kentucky by the Commanders in the 2023 NFL Draft. In 13 games played for the Commanders during the 2025 NFL season, Rodriguez started six of those. He also played in 13 games in his rookie season back in 2023, but only nine in the 2024 NFL season.
With Coen linking up again with Rodriguez, it gives the Jaguars head coach someone he is familiar with as a player. It also gives their offense a player with NFL experience who can potentially be a top back behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Rodriguez does not have stellar statistics as a receiving back. Maybe that changes now under Coen’s leadership. Being able to get outside for a quick pass from Lawrence for a short gain could be an additional asset to the Jacksonville offensive scheme.
Last season, the Jaguars hosted an AFC Wild Card Game against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bills, behind quarterback Josh Allen, defeated the Jaguars, 27-24.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
