​With training camp approaching, we’ll focus on the single most pressing question for each of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ position groups. Up next is the running back corps, which must fill the production gap left by Travis Etienne’s 1,100-plus yards after his departure for New Orleans. The obvious question, then, is how the Jaguars plan to replace that production.
Etienne emerged as the clear lead back for Jacksonville last season, but the upcoming year is likely to feature a more diversified approach. The assumption is that Jacksonville will lean into a committee, with Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez handling the majority of carries, while LeQuint Allen remains a factor on passing downs. To get a sense of what those splits could look like, we can look to the 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a potential blueprint. That year, under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Bucky Irving carried 224 attempts, Rachaad White had 145, and Sean Tucker totaled 50 carries. Those numbers illustrate how a trio of backs can share responsibilities and still maintain a productive ground game.
Rodriguez brings a physical presence to the backfield, capable of grinding out tough yards and handling between-the-t tackles work. Tuten, meanwhile, offers home run potential with his speed, able to stretch plays to the edge and turn short gains into bigger gains. Both backs have the frame and athleticism to create opportunities beyond what the blockers provide, enabling Jacksonville to capitalize on opportunities that arise from plays designed to break tackles and extend runs. Allen, a refined pass protector, should see an uptick in opportunities in the passing game, where his receiving and route-running skills could make him a valuable option on third downs and high-leverage situations.
A key area where Tuten and Rodriguez could lift the Jaguars’ run game is in their ability to create, a trait ESPN analyst Seth Walder highlighted earlier in the offseason as an area in need of improvement for Jacksonville’s backfield. The running backs’ capacity to manufacture yards, extend plays, and generate opportunities on their own could be a catalyst for sustainable offensive success, particularly when the blocking isn’t flawless or when plays develop slowly and defense alignment complicates the rushing attempts.
Of course, the health and performance of the offensive line will play a critical role in the ground game’s overall effectiveness. Strong line play can provide the foundation that makes a committee approach work, while the backs’ ability to adapt to different rush schemes and progressions will be essential to maximizing production. The faster the Jaguars’ runners can step into larger, consistent roles and deliver immediate impact, the more formidable Jacksonville’s offense could be in 2026.
Overall, the Jaguars’ 2026 rushing strategy appears likely to hinge on a balanced committee at running back, supported by improved line play and the backs’ own development in creating opportunities. Rodriguez’s physicality, Tuten’s speed, and Allen’s all-around receiving and protection abilities offer a combination that could help Jacksonville replace Etienne’s production without relying on a single workload. If the trio can convert opportunities into consistent yardage and convert on early downs to sustain drives, the Jaguars’ offense could maintain its momentum and remain a dynamic facet of the team. This discussion comes as Jaguars Wire framed the central question for training camp: how will the run game evolve to meet the challenge of replacing Etienne and driving the offense forward in 2026?