How would you like it said of you, that you really deliver when needed?
Monday, at his press conference, head coach Dan Quinn offered this praise to running back Chris Rodriguez.
Being drafted No. 193 overall in the 2023 NFL draft certainly shouldn’t leave a player overconfident in his abilities. That’s the case with Rodriguez, who was drafted out of Kentucky yet is always working and preparing for his opportunity.
It was fitting that Rodriguez scored the final touchdown Sunday in the Commanders’ 42-19 win over the Titans. Rodriguez has shown he can play special teams, yet he was released last week, missing the frustrating loss to the Cowboys.
No other team claimed Rodriguez, so the Commanders picked him up again. With Austin Ekeler going on IR last week, Rodriguez was again needed. And he certainly delivered when called upon Sunday, rushing 13 times for 94 yards, including a 25-yard long run.
As a result, in his second season, he is gaining the trust of others, including Quinn.
“Yeah, we really have a lot of confidence in him, and he’s just somebody that through practice and through the opportunities that he gets, he really delivers on that. I thought he’s got good vision as a runner.”
This season, Rodriguez has run the ball 265 times, gaining 150 yards (5.8 a carry). So, the touchdown at the end, when Rodriguez scored, you could visibly see the joy some of the linemen exhibited, happy that Rodriguez had gotten into the end zone.
“There’s a lot of trust that’s built between him, his teammates, the staff, Quinn added. And so, when he’s called upon, he’s really ready to deliver. And really that whole running back room kind of emphasizes that.”
Quinn was asked if Rodriguez being released and brought back twice this season might be awkward or lead to emotional moments with Rodriguez.
“You would think so, but it’s actually been just the opposite. And I can imagine even from last Saturday we had to make a roster move with him where he wasn’t going to be on the 53. So, that whole process to go and for him to come out, ‘Hey man, this is where I want to be.’ And so, for us knowing that about him and us feeling the same way, what could have been some instances of that has just actually been the opposite.”
