Bhayshul Tuten looks to become a bigger threat in Jacksonville's passing game. OC Grant Udinski expects him to get more opportunities.
For months, the Jacksonville Jaguars have received seemingly endless criticism about their running backs.
The position has repeatedly been named the team's biggest weakness. ESPN ranked Jacksonville's stable of running backs the worst of any team in the NFL.
Many people have questioned whether the duo of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will adequately replace Travis Etienne, who left in free agency. Although Jacksonville's rushing offense ranked only 20th in the league, Etienne had a terrific bounce-back season, rushing for over 1,100 yards and scoring 13 total touchdowns.
Six of those touchdowns were through the air. Being used as a weapon in the passing game was a big part of Etienne's game. He had 168 receptions over his four years as a Jaguar (not counting the year he missed with injury).
Tuten and Rodriguez should be able to replace Etienne's production on the ground, but what about his production as a receiver? Tuten only had 10 catches last year as a rookie, while Rodriguez has a total of only six in his three seasons.
LeQuint Allen Jr., like Tuten, is entering his second season and is Jacksonville's best RB option in passing situations, both as a receiver and a blocker. Many assumed Allen would earn a larger role in 2026 and be the back on the field in passing situations.
Allen may indeed carve out an increased role in the offense, but that doesn't mean he will have all the receiving work to himself.
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski spoke with reporters and lauded Tuten's desire to grow in all roles and become a complete running back, not just a home run threat.
Udinski hinted at Tuten getting more opportunities in the passing game, whether as a receiver or a blocker.
Wasn't Asked To Do Much Last Season
Tuten wasn't asked to do much in the passing game last season, as Udinski acknowledges. That doesn't mean he isn't capable. Udinski believes Tuten's growth will likely lead to him receiving more work on passing downs this year.
“He's embraced really trying to grow in all roles of the running back because last year, he wasn't asked to do a lot in pass protection, and he didn't have quite as many opportunities in the pass game. So he's really tried to round himself out. But just due to the opportunities this year, you might see more opportunities from whether it's pass protection, going out on routes, or in the screen game, whatever it might be. He just might have more opportunities this year than last year.”
Final Thoughts
Tuten is already one of the fastest running backs in the league. If he becomes a consistent threat as a receiver, he could wind up as a bigger strength for this team than most are giving him credit for.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes Tuten has the potential to be a star. That potential grows even higher if he adds a new element to his game.
Tuten gets his first crack at silencing his doubters on Sunday when the Jaguars open their season against the Cleveland Browns.
