The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering the 2026 training camp with a clear and aggressive directive from the top of the coaching masthead: the ground attack must be revitalized. Head Coach Liam Coen, now entering his second season at the helm after being hired in January 2025, didn't mince words when assessing the team's recent struggles. In a blunt assessment of the unit's performance, Coen stated his primary mission is to get rid of the "stink" that has plagued the Jacksonville Jaguars run game over the past year.
A New Identity Under Head Coach Liam Coen
Since taking over the franchise, Liam Coen has been tasked with shifting the culture in Jacksonville. While the 2025 season saw flashes of potential, the lack of a consistent rushing threat hindered the overall efficiency of the offense. Coen, alongside Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinski, is now focused on a complete overhaul of the backfield philosophy. The "stink" Coen referred to isn't just about yardage totals; it's about a lack of physicality and an inability to convert in high-leverage situations.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars run game to succeed in 2026, the team must move past the finesse-heavy approach of previous regimes. Coen’s system demands a marriage between the offensive line's surge and the backfield's decisiveness. By publicly calling out the unit's past failures, Coen is setting a high bar for accountability as the team prepares for a grueling summer schedule.
The Battle for RB1: Life After Travis Etienne
The most significant change facing the Jaguars this season is the composition of the backfield itself. With the departure of Travis Etienne, the roster no longer has a clear-cut, incumbent superstar to lean on. Instead, the 2026 training camp will serve as a high-stakes proving ground for Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten, who are not merely competing for roster spots, but for the right to be the lead back in this offense.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has emerged as a primary candidate to take the bulk of the early-down carries. Known for his punishing running style and ability to gain yards after contact, Rodriguez embodies the physical identity Coen wants to establish. In a division where ball control and clock management are vital, Rodriguez’s "bruiser" mentality could be the antidote to the inconsistency that has bothered the coaching staff.
Challenging him for the RB1 role is Bhayshul Tuten, an explosive athlete who offers a different dynamic to the offense. Tuten’s vision and lateral quickness make him a threat to score from anywhere on the field, providing the home-run potential that the team lost when Etienne moved on. The competition between Rodriguez and Tuten is expected to be the focal point of the preseason, as Grant Udinski looks to see which runner can best execute the complex blocking schemes of the modern NFL.
Grant Udinski’s Vision for the Rushing Attack
While Liam Coen sets the tone, Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinski is the architect tasked with the day-to-day implementation of the run game. Udinski’s challenge is to create a balanced attack that prevents defenses from loading the box against the passing game. To remove the "stink" from the Jacksonville Jaguars run game, Udinski is focusing on several key technical improvements:
- Point of Attack Aggression: Improving the win rate of the interior offensive line to create immediate vertical lanes.
- Short-Yardage Reliability: Developing a go-to package for third-and-short and goal-line situations where the Jaguars previously struggled.
- Backfield Versatility: Ensuring both Rodriguez and Tuten are proficient in pass protection to keep the offense unpredictable.
- Eliminating Negative Plays: Reducing the number of carries that result in lost yardage, which frequently put the Jaguars behind the chains in 2025.
The Stakes for the 2026 Season
The pressure on Coen and his staff is immense. In the modern NFL, a one-dimensional offense is easily neutralized by elite defensive coordinators. By fixing the run game, the Jaguars hope to unlock the full potential of their entire roster. Coen’s aggressive language regarding the "stink" of the past indicates that the grace period for the new regime is over. It is now time for results.
Whether it is the power of Chris Rodriguez Jr. or the agility of Bhayshul Tuten that ultimately leads the way, the Jaguars are committed to a ground-up rebuild of their rushing identity. As camp opens, all eyes will be on the trenches to see if the Jaguars can finally pave a path toward AFC South dominance and leave the struggles of the past behind.
Sources & Original Reporting
