​What is the central question looming over the Jacksonville Jaguars as they head into the 2026 NFL season? That inquiry, posed by The Athletic’s beat reporters for their respective teams, centers on how Jacksonville plans to replace the prodigious production of running back Travis Etienne, who had rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season before signing with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. While Etienne might not be labeled irreplaceable, his departure leaves a substantial void, particularly given the relative inexperience of the players positioned to fill the gap. Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez are still unproven by comparison, and coach Liam Coen’s offense relies heavily on a robust ground game to succeed.
According to Jeff Howe, the Jaguars’ challenge isn’t simply finding one player to match Etienne’s production. It’s about constructing a committee that can collectively shoulder the workload. Among the contenders, Rodriguez is the most seasoned back, with close to 200 career carries, but he isn’t a slam-dunk replacement on his own. The plan appears to be a rotating approach that distributes carries between Rodriguez and Tuten while LeQuint Allen handles more snaps on passing downs. Rodriguez’s physicality gives the group a necessary inside-the-box presence, whereas Tuten’s speed introduces home-run potential that could stretch defenses and create opportunities beyond the blockers’ efforts. Allen, already a top-tier pass protector, should see an uptick in opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield.
The precise breakdown of playing time will likely hinge on in-game factors: the opponent, the down-and-distance situation, and who has the hot hand on any given week. A flexible rotation will enable Coen to keep the trio fresh and to exploit favorable matchups, ensuring that the run game remains a consistent component of the offense rather than a one-off effort. The success of Rodriguez, Tuten, and Allen as a collective unit is crucial for Jacksonville’s offensive ambitions in 2026. The Jaguars finished the previous season with a respectable ground game, but improving consistency and efficiency behind the line could unlock a higher ceiling for the entire offense. If the trio can deliver a balanced mix of physical runs, big-play potential, and reliable pass protection and handling on third downs, Jacksonville could elevate its performance to a new level this year.
This discussion about replacing Etienne’s production and the potential committee approach underscores a broader theme: the Jaguars must translate depth at running back into sustained, adaptable production. The 2026 season will test not only the players stepping into new or expanded roles but also the coaching staff’s ability to rotate, optimize matchups, and maintain offensive tempo. Although Etienne’s exit creates a measurable gap, the plan to deploy Rodriguez, Tuten, and Allen in complementary roles reflects a strategic effort to preserve the offense’s identity while adapting to the personnel realities. If successful, Jacksonville’s offense could benefit from a more diverse and unpredictable ground attack, pairing a physical running game with explosive playmaking from speed and receiving threats out of the backfield.