Which Teams Did Rashad Jennings Play For
Rashad Jennings played in the NFL for four teams across nine seasons at the running back position. His longest stints came with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as a featured back during the 2016 season, and the Oakland Raiders, where he shared carries and contributed both as a runner and blocker. Jennings also spent time with the New York Giants early in his career and finished his NFL tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Below is a verified table of his NFL teams, followed by a season-by-season breakdown to clarify roles and outcomes.
Verified Teams and Season Summary
| Team | Year(s) | Role | Key Stat Line (Season) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 2014–2015 | Backup/Change-of-pace RB | 2014: 71 carries, 291 yds, 2TD; 2015: 45 carries, 170 yds, 1TD | Pro-Football-Reference / NFL play-by-play |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2016 | Starting RB | 2016: 219 carries, 835 yds, 7TD; 42 rec, 323 yds, 2TD | Pro-Football-Reference / NFL play-by-play |
| Oakland Raiders | 2017–2018 | Rotating back/lead blocker | 2017: 59 carries, 212 yds, 1TD; 2018: 19 carries, 61 yds, 0TD (17 rec, 85 yds) | Pro-Football-Reference / NFL play-by-play |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2019 | Reserve/rotational RB | 2019: 25 carries, 69 yds, 0TD; 8 rec, 41 yds | Pro-Football-Reference / NFL play-by-play |
Early Career and Path to the NFL
Before reaching the NFL, Rashad Jennings played college football at Liberty University after attending Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. He spent his first two seasons backing up veterans, learning the system, and building a reputation for power running and reliable blocking. Those years in New York set the foundation for his first major opportunity.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Breakout and Starting Role
In 2016, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Rashad Jennings to bolster their running back depth. Given the starting role behind an improving offensive line, he delivered a career-high season, recording 835 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 219 carries while adding 323 receiving yards. His 2016 workload confirmed his value as a dual-threat back in a clear lead-back capacity and remains his most statistically prominent season.
Oakland Raiders: Transition and Leadership
Jennings joined the Raiders in 2017, where the backfield featured a mix of committee runners. He adapted to a primarily change-of-pace and blocking role while still contributing as a runner, especially in short-yardage situations. In 2018, he remained part of the backfield mix, carrying sparingly while absorbing snaps out of the backfield and providing veteran leadership in the locker room.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Retirement
In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Jennings to add depth and a physical presence at running back. With an established backfield led by James Conner and a heavy reliance on committee usage, his touches were limited, but he provided meaningful run support and special teams contributions. After the 2019 season, Rashad Jennings concluded his NFL career, moving into coaching and broadcasting roles that leverage his experience and football IQ.
What His Career Path Shows
Looking at which teams Rashad Jennings played for reveals a journeyman narrative built around reliability and versatility. He progressed from a backup in New York to a starter in Jacksonville, then transitioned into a specialized role with Oakland and a depth piece in Pittsburgh. Across four teams and 65 regular-season games, he compiled 1,187 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 89 receptions, underscoring his durable, physical skill set.
- Never spent more than two full seasons with a single team, reflecting both opportunity and adaptability.
- Earned his most extensive workload and starting assignment with the 2016 Jaguars, his peak production year.
- Contributed meaningfully in short-yardage and goal-line packages across multiple offenses.
- Finished his career as a respected locker-room leader and mentor to younger backs.
Legacy and Takeaways
Rashad Jennings’s career is a textbook example of how a non-first-round path can yield meaningful, sustained NFL production. By performing distinct roles across multiple teams, he carved out a durable nine-year career defined by consistency, football smarts, and an ability to elevate various backfield systems. For fans and analysts, his trajectory remains a useful case study in how role players can extend their careers by mastering situational football and team needs.