After watching Rogue One (a bunch of times) I always felt like Chirrut was basically a Jedi without a lightsaber. He was such a mysterious character that knew so much about the force. I was always wishing they'd explore more of him. I became more aware to this theory when Ahsoka reiterated his "I'm one with the force" mantra during the Siege of Mandalore arc in the final season of Clone Wars. How would he have known this line without being connected to the Jedi in some way? (or vice versa)

So this got me thinking, if the Empire had contingency plans, then why not the Jedi Order?

Wookiepedia says the Jedi were aware of their existence before the Invasion on Naboo according to the Master & Apprentice novel. I suspect the Guardians were created as a covert group of Jedi that were secretly instated in the event the Order fell for whatever reason. Prior to the fall, they also could've carried out secret objectives for the Jedi under this guise.

Also curious that the Empire didn't arrest or persecute Chirrut or Baze while on Jedha. This could prove that the Jedi could survive out in the open if they didn't brandish lightsabers or their robes, while still being identified as a Force religion.

After Order 66, they would be tasked with collecting and preserving artifacts of the Jedi (which would explain why they were on Jedha) and act as sort of an underground railroad to surviving Jedi and help them go dark.

So would this theory hold up? Or is there road blocks? With Jedi: Fallen Order officially confirmed as a franchise, this would be a super interesting concept to explore in its sequels.

From Redditor u/Atom-O-Tronic