JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' first outside 2026 free agent is a running back.
Chris Rodriguez, a running back who played his first three NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders, has agreed to terms to sign with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent. The team announced the move Wednesday evening.
The NFL's '26 free-agency period opened Wednesday at 4 p.m. with the start of the '26 League Year.
Rodriguez, a sixth-round selection by the Commanders in the 2023 NFL Draft, rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries in 2025 while playing 13 games and starting seven. He played in 35 total games in three seasons with Washington, starting seven and rushing for 920 career yards and 10 career touchdowns on 198 career carries.
He also has six receptions for 54 yards with four career special teams tackles. Rodriguez played collegiately at Kentucky from 2018-2022, with Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen serving as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach there in 2021.
Rodriguez's acquisition gives the Jaguars five running backs on the roster: second-year Bhayshul Tuten, second-year veteran LeQuint Allen Jr., seventh-year veteran DeeJay Dallas and first-year veteran Ja'Quinden Jackson. Travis Etienne Jr., the Jaguars' leading rusher in 2025, agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints this week.
