Doug Pederson expects Tank Bigsby to have a bigger role in Jaguars offense in second season

The Jacksonville Jaguars are expecting sophomore running back Tank Bigsby to have a larger role in their offense in 2024.

It’s evident the franchise is high on the young running back, as they drafted him last offseason, even while already having Travis Etienne on their roster. Doug Pederson isn’t your normal offensive mind, and the Jaguars head coach is going to find a role for Bigsby this season.

“Yeah, I think Tank has a bigger role, you know, this year, in Year 2. You know, it’s something that we’ve been looking at,” Pederson said, speaking with the media regarding the former Auburn Tigers running back. “We definitely know we’ve got to take a little bit off of Travis [Etienne], and keep him healthy for an entire season.

“Travis does a great job with that, but yeah, I think Tank’s role can definitely increase, especially in those short-yardage situations.”

Last season, Bigsby struggled to standout for the Jaguars. Despite starting the year as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind Etienne, he dropped down to the No. 3 spot.

Regardless, the former Auburn star still ended the season with more carries than the No. 2 back, D’Ernest Johnson, but it wasn’t what the Jaguars were hoping for when they drafted him.

“We have to get Tank going, the bottom line. He is too good, that’s why we drafted him. I think early he had some ‘what is that?’ type plays for whatever reason right or wrong,” Pederson added. “Again, in and out of the lineup. He is a young player that we’re excited about. 

“Like we talked about last year, we take some burden off of Etienne a little bit, keep him healthy for the remainder of the season.”

Moreover, Bigsby finished the 2023 season with 132 rushing yards on 50 carries (2.6 ypc) with two touchdowns. He also added one reception for six yards. He accounted for 12 of the Jaguars’ first downs, but he also coughed up a fumble. Luckily for Jacksonville, the fumble against the Steelers didn’t cost them the game.

Even with Bigsby not carrying the full load of a No. 2 running back, Etienne ended up with 325 carries last season. He finished third in the league in carries, and took 70 more than he did in the 2022 season.

It’s easy to see why Doug Pederson would want Tank Bigsby to take a little bit of the heat off Travis Etienne in 2024. All the former Auburn running back needs is an opportunity, and he’s going to get a bigger one this season, it seems.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this article.