The Commanders dropped their seventh straight game this week, and while the losing streak continues, this one felt different. Unlike the blowouts and head-scratching losses to teams they should’ve handled, Washington actually showed some fight against a legitimate opponent. It wasn’t enough to get them over the hump, but for once, there were real signs of life.
And in the middle of that effort - powering through tackles, refusing to go down easy - was a running back who’s quietly becoming one of the few bright spots in D.C.: Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is carving out a real role in Washington
Let’s rewind for a second. Heading into training camp, Rodriguez wasn’t exactly a lock to make the roster.
Washington already had a backfield that looked set - Brian Robinson Jr. returning as the lead back, Austin Ekeler brought in to add versatility, and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt turning heads as a potential sleeper. Add in Jeremy McNichols as a veteran third-down option, and Rodriguez was on the outside looking in.
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Rodriguez had spent most of his first two years bouncing between the practice squad and special teams duty. He’d logged just 22 games and hadn’t made much of a dent in the offense. Frankly, he was expected to be a roster casualty.
But then the dominoes started to fall.
Robinson was traded before the season. Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2.
Croskey-Merritt, while promising, hasn’t seized the job outright. That opened the door, and Rodriguez has been charging through it ever since.
A bruising, no-nonsense runner
Rodriguez isn’t flashy. He’s not going to wow you with breakaway speed or ankle-breaking jukes.
What he will do is lower his shoulder, keep his legs churning, and pick up tough yards between the tackles. He runs angry - the kind of style that wears down defenses and energizes a sideline.
Over the past four games, Rodriguez has found the end zone three times. And in the one game he didn’t score? He still racked up 79 rushing yards against a solid Dolphins defense - and that was overseas in Madrid, no less.
He’s not much of a receiving threat out of the backfield, and that limits his ceiling a bit in today’s pass-heavy NFL. But when it comes to pure, downhill running, Rodriguez is starting to look like the most reliable option Washington has.
One of the few feel-good stories in a tough season
Let’s be honest - there haven’t been many wins for Commanders fans this year, on or off the field. But Rodriguez’s rise has been a rare silver lining.
He’s gone from a fringe roster guy to someone who’s earning carries week after week. And he’s doing it the hard way - by grinding out yards, finishing runs, and making the most of every opportunity.
For a team that’s still searching for its identity, especially on offense, Rodriguez is giving them something to build around. He’s not just filling in - he’s making a case to be the guy in that backfield moving forward.
Whether you’re a Commanders fan looking for a reason to stay tuned in, or a fantasy manager eyeing a potential playoff sleeper, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is worth paying attention to. He’s not just running with the ball - he’s running with purpose.