Speculation swirls about Jacksonville's star running back's future. Will he chase a free-agency payday or find lasting success in a passionate, small-market haven?
The 2025 season set a benchmark for success for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as they finished the regular season 13-4 and made an appearance in the playoffs. It was a complete turnaround from the 2024 debacle of 4-13.
With a nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball and a great young coach going into Year 2, the Jaguars are set up for future success. That nucleus of talent consists of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne, his backfield mate when they were playing together for a national championship at Clemson.
Recent scuttlebutt around the Gatorade cooler is that Etienne has "legitimate" interest in joining the Kansas City Chiefs, at least according Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star. More interesting, another post on X revealed that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Etienne have followed each other on Instagram. While the Chiefs are in need of a talented running back, Etienne might be better served staying right where he is.
Jacksonville is one of the best small-market teams in the league with a passionate fan base. A grateful Jaguar nation cheers from their $250 seats in the intimate atmosphere of EverBank Stadium, a less demanding setting than that of large-market teams like the Los Angeles Rams or New York Giants.
This past season, Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns, which ranked No. 11 in the league. He also caught 36 passes for 292 yards and six more scores. Etienne provided balance and consistency for a much-improved and talented Jacksonville offense, and was eighth in the league with 260 carries.
The Jaguars' offense, as a unit, rushed for over 1,900 yards and 22 touchdowns. Rookie backup Bhayshul Tuten added 307 yards and five touchdowns on 83 carries; and while Tuten contributed 10 catches for 79 yards and two TDs, he's not the dual threat Etienne presents. With Lawrence and Etienne at their core, and co-starring a range of young talent, the Jags' offense averaged 337 yards per contest, and ranked 11th in total offense and sixth in points scored with 474.
By contrast, the Chiefs' offense -- well on the other side of their glory years -- ranked 20th in total offense for a team that missed the playoffs last season after having won three Super Bowls since 2020.
The Jaguars are on an upward trajectory behind the quarterback play of Trevor Lawrence, No. 72 on the PFF 101 players from 2025, and the coaching of Liam Coen. Lawrence was a candidate for the league’s MVP, while Coen, in his first year at the helm in Jacksonville, was a finalist for NFL Coach of the Year.
It is no secret the Jaguars have salary-cap constraints for the 2026 season. But general manager James Gladstone could (and should) do everything in his power to re-sign Etienne. Keeping Etienne in black and teal means keeping the balance of offensive power in the small-market paradise of Jacksonville.
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