Running back Chris Thompson is excited to be reunited with coach Jay Gruden with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thompson was a 2013 fifth-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins, but didn't make the team out of camp his first season. He spent the season on the Redskins' practice squad before making the active roster the next year.
In five seasons with the Redskins, Thompson played a big role in the offense, catching 206 passes during his time. Gruden, then Washington's head coach, was fired midseason in 2019 while Thompson was kept on through the end of the year before signing with Jacksonville as a free agent. Gruden, meanwhile, was hired as the Jaguars' offensive coordinator.
Thompson said one of the biggest reasons he found success in Washington was because of Gruden, so he is excited to get him back as his offensive coordinator this season. Per John Reid of Jacksonville.com, Thompson said,
“He is one of the biggest reasons I was able to have the success that I had in Washington and to be able to stick around there … Throughout this whole process and all my time there in Washington, he believed in me. He gave me every single opportunity that he possibly could. Me coming here to Jacksonville, being familiar with his offense, it is good for me.”
Thompson said he has been working with Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew, trying to help him adapt to a new offense. The offense will be a little different for Thompson being on a new team, but he has a basic understanding of Gruden's scheme, so he can be helpful for Minshew.
Thompson will be competing with Leonard Fournette and Ryquell Armstead for playing time in 2020.
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