Jacksonville

Jaguars

The Jaguars let Travis Etienne walk in free agency and signed Rodriguez, formerly of the Commanders, to join second-year, oft-injured RB Bhayshul Tuten in the backfield this season. The new details of Rodriguez’s two-year contract — including a $4 million signing bonus — confirm he’ll play a significant role in the Jacksonville backfield. Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley said the team would take a “committee” backfield approach in 2026. “What he’ll be able to do is provide the complementary skill set, in particular when it comes to the inside running, the hidden yards that come with his style of play,” Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said during a recent radio interview. “You know, the tough demeanor. You know, that’s a real thing. And when given a higher workload, it can wear out those that have to stop it from going forward.” An efficient early-down back in Washington, Rodriguez could be in line for lead back duties if Tuten struggles in offseason practices and training camp or deals with injuries once again. Rodriguez had 500 yards and six rushing touchdowns in 2025, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and posting an impressive 59 percent rushing success rate.

Wingard started all 16 games he appeared in for the Jaguars last season, finishing second on the team in tackles (84) while also breaking up a career-high nine passes and picking off one pass. The veteran safety has started 10 or more games twice in his career, and could serve as a reliable starter in the Cardinals’ secondary for first-year head coach Mike LaFleur.

Shipley refers to Jaguars starting TE Brenton Strange as “maybe the most underrated tight end in the entire NFL” and says the team knows “just how important he is to everything they do.” Sounds like Strange’s role is safe. Shipley believes TE Quintin Morris could have true TE2 potential, but Morris caught just 6-of-7 targets for 55 yards and one touchdown after signing with the Jaguars in free agency last year. His position on the depth chart sounds less secure. Strange can be viewed as a low-end TE1 candidate at this time.

The front office could invest heavily in the defensive line, which currently includes three projected starters who have just one year remaining on their contracts. Former No. 1 overall pick, EDGE Travon Walker, is among them and is coming off a four-sack season, matching his 2022 rookie season total. He recorded 10 in 2024 and 11 in 2023. The team could draft an EDGE to groom behind Walker just in case they don’t complete an extension before the season. The Jaguars’ projected starting DTs are Arik Armstead, 32, and DaVon Hamilton, 29. Both players are scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. Given their age, it is reasonable to assume the Jaguars draft at least one interior defender in April. The team is returning every member of their offensive line this year. Shipley believes the Jaguars will use “at least one pick on a developmental offensive lineman.”

Brown, a 2021 third-round pick, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Commanders. He posted career-best numbers in 2024, catching 30-of-38 targets for 308 yards and one touchdown. The latter figure is the only non-career-best mark. He spent 2025 with the Jaguars, catching just 20-of-37 targets for 227 yards and one touchdown. He will likely be tasked with keeping safeties honest by running routes downfield, though his prior performances render him nothing more than a low-end bench stash.

The restructuring of Cooke’s deal will clear $2.56 million in cap space for the Jaguars this season. Cooke signed a four-year, $16 million extension last season and is under contract through 2029. Last season, he attempted 60 punts while averaging 48.0 yards per attempt and landing 36.7 percent of his kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

This isn’t an outright denial, but the messaging is in line with recent reports. The Jaguars reportedly “have an extremely high asking price” for Thomas and are unwilling to budge, which makes sense. Doing so would disrupt the offense, to some degree, and the incoming trade offer must be worth it for them to move a highly valued asset. The talented, young wide receiver underperformed last year, but he remains relatively cost-controlled on his rookie contract for the next two or three seasons, fifth-year option pending.

The deal includes another $2 million in incentives. Rodriguez was a restricted free agent and the Commanders chose not to tender him. That Rodriguez locked in a two-year deal right after the official start of free agency suggests the Commanders should have considered keeping him around. For now, Rodriguez is set to split the Jacksonville backfield with Bhayshul Tuten. The Jags will likely give Tuten first crack at the starting gig, but both backs will be involved barring another addition. Rodriguez profiles as the traditional meat and potatoes grinder, with Tuten in charge of home runs and pass-catching duties. Rodriguez will likely open early fantasy drafts as an RB4.

Wingard’s contract includes a $3 million base salary. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jaguars in 2019. Wingard, 29, started for the Jaguars last season, compiling the second-most solo tackles (64) and tying for the fourth-most pass breakups (four). He intercepted one pass.

This is a good reading of the will-they, won’t-they offseason saga of Thomas potentially being traded. The Jaguars seem willing to listen on Thomas, but aren’t going to do a deal just because he’s a lower-rung part of their offense than he was in 2024. “According to the source, teams believe the Jaguars’ price for Thomas is ‘at least one premium pick,’” Shipley adds. Thomas is only halfway through his rookie contract, not even counting the fifth-year option, so it makes plenty of sense that the Jaguars would hold on to him barring some kind of ridiculous offer. Shipley’s prediction is that Thomas will play for the Jaguars in 2026, at least until the trade deadline.