Get ready for a serious committee approach in the Jacksonville Jaguars backfield this season, because after losing Travis Etienne Jr. to the Saints in free agency, Liam Coen is going with Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. in a big way. The Jags front office had to pivot fast after Etienne bolted, and their answer is a “shared workload” blueprint for 2026. This isn’t just a temporary fix; it’s the plan, straight from the source.
The New Look Backfield’s True Committee
Coach Coen wasn’t messing around when he laid out the strategy, making it clear this isn’t some temporary patch. He told reporters, “We’re going to have to be a little bit more by committee,” signaling a definitive move away from a single workhorse. That means forget a single bell-cow back; both Tuten and Rodriguez Jr. are gonna be getting their fair share of touches, period. Tuten, the fourth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, and Rodriguez Jr., a hefty $10 million free-agent signing this offseason, are officially the new dynamic duo. They’re expected to split the bulk of the volume, and it looks like it could be pretty darn close to an even split, too. Coen made it absolutely clear about their roles: “Those guys are going to play their part but not come in to try to be anybody but themselves.” That’s the real key right there, allowing each back to play to their unique strengths within this brand new system.
Thunder, Lightning, and the Short Yardage Grind
So, how exactly is this committee going to carve up the touches, snap by snap? ESPN’s Michael DiRocco has the inside intel, and it’s looking like a classic setup where both backs dominate specific aspects of the game. Rodriguez Jr. is clearly shaping up to be the bruiser, the power guy who’s going to get most of his work between the tackles. He’s built for those tough, gritty runs, the kind that wear defenses down drive after drive. The Jaguars are absolutely eyeing him for those crucial short-yardage situations. Need a goal-line score, or just a few vital yards on third down? Rodriguez Jr. looks like your man, especially when they’re pounding it inside the five-yard line.
Then you’ve got Bhayshul Tuten. While he’ll still definitely get his share of between-the-tackles work, the Jags are poised to truly unleash him on more outside running plays. This is where his “blazing speed” really comes into play, a game-changer for their offense. They want to get him in space, let him hit the edge, and turn on the jets to create chunk plays. DiRocco indicated Tuten will be the primary “between-the-20s RB,” tasked with keeping the offense moving downfield with explosive runs. He’ll still see some red-zone work, don’t get it twisted, but the bread and butter for Tuten seems to be those big-play opportunities outside the hashes. And yeah, there’s LeQuint Allen Jr. in the mix, but he’s currently banged up and looks set for a specific third-down back role, not seeing nearly the opportunity of Tuten or Rodriguez Jr. This true committee approach means both main backs are critical to the Jaguars’ offensive success.
This shared workload for Tuten and Rodriguez Jr. isn’t just a strategy; it’s a statement about the Jaguars’ commitment to adapting after a big loss. The real test comes when the season kicks off and we see if this committee approach can keep the offense humming. Every carry, every yard, will be a direct look into whether Coen’s vision pays off. It’s gonna be a fascinating backfield to watch!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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