Jaguars' First Free Agent Acquisition of 2026: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Mar 11, 2026 at 06:24 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

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.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to hand the ball off to running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.The Dolphins defeated the Commanders in overtime, 16-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

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Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson (14) hands off to Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) is stopped as he carries the ball by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) and Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is pushed out of bounds by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun and linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs with the ball past Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (23) in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs against Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) avoids a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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]Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Ben Liebenberg/2025 National Football League

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

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Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) defends as Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) runs with the ball during the first half of NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

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