written by: Brock Smith/Outlook News
all photos by: Juan Moore/Outlook News
JACKSONVILLE, FL-The Jacksonville Jaguars are officially in a new era. First-year head coach Liam Coen, with 29-year-old offensive coordinator Grant Udinski at his side, is reshaping the roster with conviction. Their latest statement: shipping running back Tank Bigsby to the Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 fifth-round pick as well as a sixth-round pick.
On paper, parting with a 2023 third-round pick feels abrupt. But Coen and Udinski are recalibrating their backfield to reflect speed, versatility, and efficiency. For Bigsby, a physical runner who never fully carved out a role in Jacksonville, it meant the end of the line.
Bigsby: Flashes but No Breakthrough
At Auburn, Bigsby was the prototype power back—vision, toughness, and yards after contact. Drafted to complement Travis Etienne Jr., he showed moments of promise but never strung them together.
By 2024, Etienne had solidified himself as the bell cow, and Bigsby slipped into spot duty. A new coaching staff wasn’t going to keep a redundancy.
Coen and Udinski’s Blueprint
Coen arrives with pedigree. His offense in Tampa Bay last season ranked top five in points, yards, rushing, and passing. He values balance and tempo, demanding players who can handle multiple roles.
Udinski, one of the NFL’s youngest coordinators, plays a critical part in shaping that scheme. While Coen calls plays, Udinski’s fingerprints are on the weekly design. Their shared vision: a backfield built for flexibility. Bigsby, a throwback power runner, simply didn’t fit.
The Jaguars’ Backfield Now
With Bigsby gone, the depth chart resets:
Travis Etienne Jr. – Clear No. 1, an explosive dual-threat.
Cody Schrader – The walk-on-turned-SEC rushing leader, projected primary backup.
LeQuinden Allen Jr. – Rookie from Syracuse with burst.
Bhayshul Tuten – Explosive, elusive, tailor-made for Coen’s creativity.
It’s unproven but intriguing. Coen believes one or two will seize the moment Bigsby couldn’t.
Why Philly Wanted Bigsby
The Eagles didn’t need Bigsby—they wanted him. Already stacked with Saquon Barkley, AJ Dillon, Montrell Johnson Jr., and Will Shipley, Philadelphia thrives on depth.
Bigsby gives them insurance. If Barkley misses time or Dillon wears down, he can step in without the system skipping a beat. For a defending champion, depth is everything.
What It Means for Jacksonville
For the Jaguars, this is about clarity. Etienne leads, Schrader spells him, and the rookies fight for situational roles. Less clutter, more defined purpose.
It’s also about identity. Coen and Udinski don’t want to force-fit players—they want weapons who accentuate pace and space. Bigsby’s skill set didn’t align.
Upgrade, Downgrade, or Even?
Eagles: Upgrade. Adding Bigsby turns strength into a luxury.
Jaguars: Short-term downgrade, but potential to balance out if Schrader or a rookie pops.
The Bigger Picture
The NFL rewards adaptation. Jacksonville is betting that youth and versatility outweigh Bigsby’s experience. If one of their rookies shines, the move looks visionary. If not, depth becomes a question.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, continues to operate like a contender—stockpiling talent, insulating itself from injuries, and maintaining flexibility for a long playoff run.
Final Word
This isn’t just a trade—it’s a tone-setter. The Jaguars under Liam Coen and Grant Udinski aren’t hanging on to the past. They’re pushing forward with conviction, reshaping the roster around their offensive identity.
Bigsby gets a chance to revive his career in a loaded Eagles backfield. Jacksonville moves forward with clarity, trusting Etienne and a wave of untested but hungry backs.
It’s bold. It’s risky. But that’s the Coen era: decisive and unapologetic. In today’s NFL, that’s the only way to stay ahead.