The Jacksonville Jaguars are ramping up their offseason training activities and the buzz is palpable as they gear up for the 2025 regular season. With the opener still a few months away, the team has several key questions to address across the roster, particularly in the running back department.
This offseason, the Jaguars added fresh legs to their backfield by drafting two running backs on the third day of the draft: Bhayshul Tuten, selected in the fourth round, and LeQuint Allen, nabbed in the seventh. These new faces could make things interesting for incumbents Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. With Etienne entering the final stretch of his rookie contract, and Bigsby heading into a pivotal third year after a disappointing 4-13 finish in the 2024 season, the stage is set for potential shakeups.
Bigsby, in particular, enters this season under the microscope. Though Jacksonville faced struggles last year, Bigsby showcased flashes of potential that hint at a brighter future. His stats tell a compelling story: he ranked 11th in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) and eighth per attempt among peers with at least 110 carries, alongside a notable fourth in yards after contact per attempt (YACo/Att) at 4.0.
Diving into the game tape, Bigsby demonstrated a knack for generating yards seemingly out of thin air. His ability to navigate through the chaos of the defensive line exhibits creativity and a sense of space, coupled with a knack for maintaining balance and bursting into additional yardage after initial contact. These attributes could position Bigsby as a dark horse candidate to lead Jacksonville's backfield this season, and perhaps even secure a contract extension with a standout performance.
As the Jaguars lean into a youth movement, highlighted by potential superstar wideout Brian Thomas Jr. and the dynamic first-round pick Travis Hunter, Bigsby's role could be pivotal in the team’s offensive scheme under Liam Coen. With the right blend of skill, opportunity, and determination, Bigsby has the tools to step up and cement his place in the Jaguars' future.
