ESPN NFL

The tailback-rich Jacksonville Jaguars retained some of their wealth at the position on Wednesday, re-signing unrestricted free agent LaBrandon Toefield to a one-year, $800,000 contract that returns him to the team that brought him into the league.

The retention of Toefield, 26, was somewhat surprising, in that the Jaguars already have two standout tailbacks in starter Fred Taylor and backup Maurice Jones-Drew, who combined for 2,087 yards in 2006. And it was believed that Toefield, whose playing time was slashed last season when Jacksonville added Jones-Drew, would seek a new home.

But the Jaguars' coaching staff wanted Toefield back and the four-year veteran did not find another offer to his liking, so he opted to return, with the knowledge that he can go back into the free-agent market again next spring. Toefield actually rejected a multiyear proposal from the Jaguars in favor of the one-year deal.

Toefield will receive a $200,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $600,000. He can earn as much as $300,000 in incentives based principally on rushing yards.

Miami, St. Louis and Pittsburgh demonstrated varying degrees of interest in Toefield, but none met his financial expectations. And while Toefield is No. 3 on the depth chart in Jacksonville, the reality is that Taylor is 31 now and that could present the opportunity for more carries in 2007.

A former LSU standout, Toefield, chosen in the fourth round of the 2003 draft, has rushed for 543 yards and six touchdowns on just 150 carries in his career. He has 45 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and he has also returned kickoffs and played on special-teams coverage units.

He has appeared in 43 games and started two of them.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.