JACKSONVILLE – Chris Rodriguez Jr. is excited and happy.

If Head Coach Liam Coen is part of why the Jaguars' newest running back feels that way, he isn't the only reason. This is a big, important week for Rodriguez for many reasons.

"It's an opportunity," he said.

Rodriguez, a fourth-year veteran, signed with the Jaguars as a restricted free agent from the Washington Commanders this week. He's a powerful player who played one season for Coen at the University of Kentucky – and who the Jaguars believe can help one of the NFL's best offenses by adding to the interior running offense.

"He is very physical at the point of attack," General Manager James Gladstone said Thursday, adding that the Jaguars this offseason focused on "continuing to find ways to level up our capacity in the run game to make it a really balanced attack, being able to attack the perimeter and also the inside in really fair and balanced forms."

"I think that Chris seamlessly provides that," Gladstone said.

Rodriguez, who rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns this past season, originally was a sixth-round selection by the Commanders in the 2023 NFL Draft from the University of Kentucky – where he played the 2021 season under Coen, who served that season as Kentucky's offensive coordinator.

"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, adding of signing with the Jaguars, "I feel like it was going to be the best opportunity for me."

Rodriguez, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season and who is considered strong at the point of contact with an ability to force missed tackles, will join a running back group that now includes second-year veterans Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., seventh-year veteran DeeJay Dallas and first-year veteran Ja'Quinden Jackson.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr., the Jaguars' leading rusher, signed with the New Orleans Saints this week and Rodriguez called his next task "clicking with those running backs" and "figuring out what it is that can help make us more efficient or not even just as a running back, but as an offensive standpoint."

"That's a conversation that we have with the guys, and going into the season we'll figure out what we need and how we can improve," he said. "It's going to be a competition every day with those guys. It's one thing I like to do; we like to compete. It's going to be a fun process.

"If they have any questions about anything, I'm here to answer them. I know these guys were in great hands before with another veteran in the room and now going into Liam's second season, I know he's done well with them as well."

Rodriguez has six receptions for 54 yards in three seasons, adding that he has ability as a receiver.

"Ask any of my coaches that I've been around," he said. "They would tell you I can catch the ball. I feel like I can catch, I can run routes, might not be as clean as some of the other guys but I can definitely run routes and catch the ball."

Rodriguez said he agreed to his contract shortly after Wednesday's 4 p.m. start of the NFL League Year. His agent was among many people "blowing up" his phone at that point as he boarded a plane for a flight to Virginia.

"It all happened so fast," he said. "Before I even touched down, my agent is like, 'We just agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars.' So, I'm like, 'Alright, let's do it. I'm so excited.''

Also among people calling was Coen – and Rodriguez said while he played just one season for Coen at Kentucky, their relationship is a lasting one.

"It felt like a lifetime knowing that guy," Rodriguez said. "I got cool with him and Ms. Ashley, his wife, and honestly, they're good people. What I learned about Liam is he knows who you are. It was easy to click with him. You didn't have to force a conversation with him. And if he saw you, it was a conversation. He'll stop, have a conversation with you, talk to you, ask how everybody's doing. I'd say it was an experience.

"He knows your best self and once you show it to him, he expects nothing less."