Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen said finding and fixing what he called “the stink” that surfaced late in a 13-win, AFC South title season is essential for improvement in 2026. Coen identified the run game’s dramatic drop in production down the stretch as one of the main problems that must be corrected.
After averaging 128.1 rushing yards per game (eighth in the NFL) and 4.4 yards per carry (16th) in Weeks 1-12, the Jaguars averaged 91.2 yards per game (27th) and 3.3 yards per carry (31st) in Weeks 13-18. “If we attack it with the same exact mindset and mentality in both the run and the pass, we’re going to end up where we ended up last year and that’s not good enough,” Coen said. “So for us to click on all cylinders, both the run and the pass marriage is important. And I’m not saying we’re going to rush for 130 every single week for 17 weeks. That’s not realistic.”
Personnel changes complicate the process. Travis Etienne Jr., who led the Jaguars with 1,107 rushing yards last season and finished his Jacksonville career with 3,798 yards (third in franchise history), signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. The Jaguars added Chris Rodriguez Jr., who totaled 920 yards and 10 touchdowns over three seasons with the Washington Commanders.
Rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. figure to play larger roles after contributing as rookies. Tuten ran for 307 yards and five touchdowns and caught 10 passes for two more scores, while Allen logged 33 offensive touches (23 carries) and worked primarily on third down as the team’s top pass blocker. Veterans Ameer Abdullah and DeeJay Dallas and rookie J’Mari Taylor are also in the mix. Rodriguez missed most offseason work after a procedure on his left foot, and Coen said touches won’t be sorted out until training camp. “It’s a wide-open room,” Coen said.
Coen also stressed efficiency metrics. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Jaguars had just 37 rushing yards over expectation last season, 25th in the league, while the Buffalo Bills led with 531 yards and 14 teams had at least 200. Rodriguez had 78 yards over expectation last season, two more than Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley. “Rushing yards over expected and yards after contact is what I give a crap about personally,” Coen said.
