Teams across the league are beginning to map out their offseason priorities, and early conversations around the NFL have centered on organizations looking to add more explosiveness to their backfields. With both veteran options and a top-heavy incoming draft class available, the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs have surfaced as two franchises exploring multiple avenues to upgrade their run games.
Inside the Combine Rumors Connecting the Chiefs and Saints to Travis Etienne
At the NFL Combine, much of the discussion has been rooted in rumor and informal chatter, but one name kept coming up: impending free agent Travis Etienne. Fantasy analyst Matthew Berry noted that the gossip circulating in Indianapolis included both New Orleans and Kansas City as potential destinations for the 32-touchdown running back.
“Among the places I heard for Travis Etienne to land include New Orleans and Kansas City,” Berry said, emphasizing that the talk amounted to Combine rumors rather than anything concrete.
Etienne is expected to draw significant interest if he reaches the open market. He posted a 63.5 PFSN RB Impact score in 2025, ranking 26th among all running backs and reinforcing his value as a three‑down option with proven production. His ability to create chunk plays and contribute in the passing game would immediately elevate either offense.
Both the Saints and Chiefs have also been connected to Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love throughout the pre‑draft cycle. Love’s blend of speed, vision, and receiving traits has made him one of the most discussed prospects in the class, and both teams have been linked to him in various mock drafts and league conversations.
However, the latest NFL Combine buzz suggests his stock may be rising beyond their reach. Multiple evaluators now believe Love could be selected inside the top five, a jump that would likely remove him from the range of both New Orleans and Kansas City unless either team makes an aggressive move up the board.
That dynamic adds another layer to the Etienne speculation. If Love becomes unattainable and the veteran market remains fluid, both teams could pivot toward proven production rather than waiting on the draft. Etienne’s versatility and track record would give either franchise an immediate upgrade and a player capable of altering defensive game plans.
For now, everything remains in the realm of chatter, with no indication of how the running back market will ultimately unfold. But as free agency approaches and draft boards continue to shift, the Saints and Chiefs are expected to remain active in monitoring both avenues to add a dynamic playmaker.
