With a new building regime in place, the Jacksonville Jaguars will likely cut former first-round pick running back Travis Etienne before the 2025 season. According to several reports, general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen are not sold on the running back, so the Jaguars could be releasing him in the upcoming days. It’s been an atrocious 2024 campaign for Etienne after just recording 558 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 receptions on 52 targets for 254 yards. Unfortunately, they may not get much if they put him on the trade block, so the best thing the Jaguars might have to do is release Etienne.
Originally selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Clemson product didn’t get off to the right foot in his rookie season. Despite that, he found his momentum after having back-to-back explosive seasons, topping 1,000 rushing yards in both those years. The emerging Tank Bigsby has been taking on more snaps this past year, logging 168 carries, and even though they didn’t draft a running back in the first round of this year’s draft, the Jaguars could release Etienne either way. With the previous regime picking up Etienne’s fifth-year option, the team’s new era has no clear passage for the running back, but these four teams could revive his career.
ESPN: Rebuilding Jaguars May Cut Former First Rounder Travis Etienne – 4 Potential Fits
Possible Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
Despite signing Najee Harris and drafting Omarion Hampton, the Los Angeles Chargers still have no clear answer in their backfield room. Reportedly, Harris may be on the trade block if he doesn’t excel this upcoming season. Hampton might win the starting job, but they need a capable backup. Travis Etienne has a lot of upside to be a worthy running back in those duties and excel better when he doesn’t have a large workload.
New Orleans Saints
However, the New Orleans Saints have a troubling quarterback room, so they may lean on the defense or the run game to win most of their ball games. Alvin Kamara is one of the best running backs in the league, but he could use some help in the backend of the depth chart. After releasing Jamaal Williams, Etienne coming in would be beneficial to improve this offense and get whoever the signal-caller will be in the right mindset.
Dallas Cowboys
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the worst running back rooms in the entire league. Despite signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this free agency, the team does not have an answer yet at the position since parting ways with Tony Pollard last offseason. There were hopes that Ezekiel Elliott’s return could see the Cowboys back on the right speed of things, but it didn’t happen that way. 2025 draft pick Jaydon Blue has a bright future on this roster, and there is a lot of hope for him.
However, they should add Etienne to boost the competition, and even if he doesn’t win the starting job, he would be a worthy backup option, especially if he excels.
Washington Commanders
The offense is in the right direction under the wing of quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, the weakest point of this roster is the running back room with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. These two might not be their long-term answers, and Etienne could be a temporary fit.
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