The Washington Commanders have lost their first free agent of the offseason. Washington had until the start of the new league year, which began on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, to tender a contract to restricted free agent Chris Rodriguez Jr. The Commanders chose not to tender Rodriguez a contract, which allowed him to sign with a new team immediately.
It didn’t take long for Rodriguez to find his new team. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Rodriguez to a two-year contract worth $10 million on Wednesday. A sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Rodriguez spent three seasons with the Commanders, appearing in 35 games, making seven starts, rushing for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 4.6 yards per attempt.
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Last season, as a part of Washington’s running back by committee, Rodriguez had career highs of 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Rodriguez will reunite with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen in Jacksonville. When Rodriguez was an All-SEC running back at Kentucky, Coen was his offensive coordinator in 2021. Jacksonville lost running back Travis Etienne in free agency, and Rodriguez will join a backfield featuring Bhayshul Tuten.
As for Washington, the only running back under contract for 2026 is Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are unrestricted free agents. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Commanders brought McNichols back for a third season. Washington must still add to the backfield, with former Buccaneers running back Rachaad White being a name to watch. The Commanders could also target Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. signs with Jaguars