Jaguars plan with Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr. revealed by Liam Coen image
Over the 2026 NFL offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost Travis Etienne Jr. to the New Orleans Saints in free agency and had to pivot for some extra help.
Bhayshul Tuten is going to be heavily involved, but so too will Chris Rodriguez Jr., the Jaguars' free-agent addition this offseason. But there's a question about how Liam Coen will actually utilize these two backs in 2026.
According to ESPN's Michael DiRocco, the Jaguars plan for their backfield is going to be a "shared workload," with both Rodriguez and Tuten getting their fair share of work out of the backfield this upcoming season.
Jaguars to use RB split between Tuten and Rodriguez
"We're going to have to be a little bit more by committee," Coen said. "Those guys are going to play their part but not come in to try to be anybody but themselves."
Tuten, a fourth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, and Rodriguez, a $10 million free-agent signing this offseason, will be splitting the work.
But how will they share the backfield touches? DiRocco revealed that "it has been clear in 11-on-11 work that Rodriguez will get most of his work between the tackles."
Tuten will still get between-the-tackles work, but the Jaguars are seemingly poised to use him on more outside running plays, and plays to get him in space and utilize his blazing speed.
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This backfield could see Rodriguez as more of a goal-line back and short-yardage runner, with Tuten as the between-the-20s RB. Tuten should still see some red-zone work, but Rodriguez looks more likely to take on such a role inside the five.
LeQuint Allen Jr., who's currently banged up, could also factor into this backfield, but he'd be only a third-down back who doesn't see nearly as much opportunity as Rodriguez or Tuten this upcoming season.
This Jaguars backfield is looking like it's going to be a true committee, with both Tuten and Rodriguez splitting the bulk of the volume, and seemingly, close to even splits.
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