Travis Etienne Jr. looked like Jacksonville’s backfield centerpiece just two years ago. Now, with the Jaguars stockpiling running backs and his contract situation looming, the former Clemson star faces an uncertain future in Duval County.
Why Is Travis Etienne Jr. Considered Expendable Despite His Talent?
Matt Holder at Bleacher Report believes Jacksonville running back Etienne is on his way out of town in exchange for draft picks.
“Tank Bigsby was the Jaguars’ leading rusher last year, and the organization spent a fourth-round pick on Bhayshul Tuten during the draft,” Holder writes. “That signals Etienne’s time in Jacksonville is nearing an end, especially since he’s entering a contract year. Given the offense’s depth at running back, getting something in return for a player who likely doesn’t have much of a future with the team would be a smart investment.”
The situation stems from Jacksonville’s aggressive approach to drafting offensive players in 2025. This strategy has created a logjam at running back, loaded with talent but without enough touches to go around. For Etienne, it means facing the reality of being replaced while still in his prime.
Etienne was drafted 25th overall by Jacksonville in the 2021 NFL Draft after a prolific college career at Clemson. He won a national title in 2018 with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, was a three-time All-American (2018-2020), and was considered a running back who could make an instant impact in the NFL. He finished his college career with 4,952 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns.
However, Etienne’s rookie year was a significant disappointment. In the second week of the preseason, Etienne tore his Lisfranc ligament against the New Orleans Saints, forcing him to sit out the entire year.
Following his recovery, 2022 was electric for Etienne. Finally reunited with Lawrence, Etienne ran for 1,125 yards on 220 carries (5.1 YPA) and scored five touchdowns. He kept it up in his second year, running for 1,008 yards and 11 TDs, but things began to fall off in 2024.
What Does Etienne’s 2025 Outlook Look Like?
Jacksonville did pick up his fifth-year option in April 2024, but Etienne ceded carries to Tank Bigsby as the 2024 season wore on. He finished the year with 150 carries, 558 rushing yards, and just two rushing touchdowns. Some of it was related to a nagging shoulder injury, and more of it was related to managing Etienne’s usage in relation to that injury, creating a challenging situation for both player and team.
Despite the speculation about his future, Etienne is listed first on the Jags’ depth chart. Yet things in the NFL can change quickly, and Etienne finds himself in a position where a great camp could help him reclaim his status as the number one back in new head coach Liam Coen’s offense.
The coaching change brings hope for Etienne’s situation. Coen comes from the Sean McVay tree, where running backs with Etienne’s skill set can thrive. This offensive system could be exactly what Etienne needs to prove his value to Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Jaguars open training camp on July 23 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
