Rodriguez returns to familiar offensive coordinator Coen, aiming to boost the Jaguars' backfield with proven production and immediate system understanding.
Amidst Travis Etienne's departure, the Jacksonville Jaguars solidified their running back depth by signing former Washington Commanders tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. to a two-year, $10 million contract.
Rodriguez made his first media appearance this past weekend, calling Jacksonville "the best opportunity" for himself. He also talked about his excitement to reunite with head coach Liam Coen, who served as Rodriguez's offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky in 2021.
"I know Liam and he knows me. And I know the type of standard he expects and I feel like we can get that done..." Rodriguez said. "When Liam got to Kentucky, he had to be one of my favorite coaches up until that point... I guess you you could say it was only a year, but man, it felt like a lifetime knowing that guy, you know."
Jags general manager James Gladstone said that their connection was a big reason that he pursued Rodriguez, saying he has "an intimate understanding of the system and how Liam likes to call things."
Rodriguez was one of the most accomplished players in Kentucky Football history, totaling 3,644 rushing yards in his career, third-most in program history. Under Coen, Rodriguez earned First-Team All-SEC honors, while rushing for 100 or more yards in nine straight games, a school record.
Last season, Rodriguez recorded career highs in rushing yards (500) and touchdowns (6), serving as the Commanders' third down and short yardage back. Rodriguez also showed great contact balance, ranking eighth in the league last year in average yards after contact with 3.46.
He joins an extremely young and inexperienced running back room that consists of two second-year backs in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. Although Rodriguez isn't much older than these two, he said that he wants to be "one of those dudes that they can call upon."
"If they have any questions about anything, I'm here to answer them. You know, I know these guys were in great hands before with another veteran in the locker room or in the room actually. And, you know, now going into Liam's second season, I know he's done well with them as well."
Rodriguez projects as one of the main backs for this Jaguars team moving into a post-Etienne era in the backfield. Reuniting with Coen also gives Rodriguez a sense of what to expect as he looks to help Jacksonville build on a postseason berth last year.
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