​Although the Jacksonville Jaguars did not act with heavy aggression in free agency this offseason, the roster will still feature a number of new faces. In recent months, the team has faced substantial criticism for its perceived inactivity, choosing not to pursue high-profile signings to replace departed players such as Travis Etienne Jr. and Devin Lloyd. Instead, Jacksonville opted to lean on its internal options to step into larger roles, at least initially.
That said, the Jaguars’ identity and makeup will not be identical to last season. The 2026 NFL Draft brought ten new players to Jacksonville, complemented by several undrafted rookie free agents. The club also added breakout candidate Ruke Orhorhoro in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. On the coaching side, there were a handful of noteworthy changes, and the team did sign one significant free agent in Chris Rodriguez Jr., a running back.
The Athletic undertook a league-wide review, selecting one offseason addition per team as the most intriguing newcomer. For some franchises, the pick highlighted a splashy veteran acquisition; for others, a high-profile rookie or a newly hired coach. Jeff Howe designated the Jaguars’ standout addition as Rodriguez Jr., the club’s lone notable free-agent signing.
Although Rodriguez Jr.’s signing might not be positioned as a marquee move, Howe believes he can make a substantial impact in 2026. His reasoning centers on a past connection with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen from their time together at the University of Kentucky. Coen valued Rodriguez as a versatile and powerful running back in college and is likely to trust him with a prominent role in Jacksonville. “Coach Liam Coen loved Rodriguez when the pair were together at Kentucky, so don’t be surprised if the powerful ball carrier carves out an important role,” Howe wrote. “Rodriguez, a sixth-rounder in 2023, accumulated 920 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns across three seasons with the Commanders, so there’s no need to pretend he’s Walter Payton. But we should be prepared for Rodriguez to be a meaningful contributor to the offense in 2026.”
Rodriguez Jr. should bring a decisive power element to the Jaguars’ rushing attack, something the team lacked at times in 2025. He entered the offseason as the lead candidate to compete with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten for the RB1 role. An injury sidelined Rodriguez during the team’s OTAs and minicamp, which gave Tuten a clear edge at that moment. However, Rodriguez is expected to be fully healthy by training camp, where he can finally demonstrate what he can bring to his new club. If Rodriguez can secure a meaningful role in the offense as anticipated, he could emerge as the Jaguars’ most intriguing and potentially most impactful newcomer in 2026.
Rodriguez’s arrival marks a power-oriented dimension to Jacksonville’s rushing game, a contrast to the group’s 2025 production. The potential for Rodriguez to contribute significantly depends on his health, performance in camp, and how the coaching staff integrates him into the game plan. If all aligns, he could indeed stand out as a focal point of the Jaguars’ new-look offense in 2026.