The Jacksonville Jaguars face a significant question this offseason regarding running back Travis Etienne. As a former first-round pick and a standout player alongside linebacker Devin Lloyd, Etienne”s future appears uncertain as the free agency period approaches in March.
Recent reports suggest that Etienne has expressed interest in joining the Kansas City Chiefs, potentially teaming up with head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes once free agency opens. This development has sparked discussions about Etienne”s market value as he heads into free agency.
So far, the Jaguars have retained six restricted and unrestricted free agents from their 2026 roster. They have re-signed wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen during the regular season. Additionally, they brought back running back DeeJay Dallas, defensive lineman Matt Dickerson, and cornerback Keith Taylor this week. The team also extended an exclusive rights qualifying offer to cornerback Christian Braswell, who accepted it. However, Etienne remains a notable figure who has yet to secure a new contract.
As it stands, negotiations between the Jaguars and Etienne”s representatives have not progressed significantly, leading many in the league to believe he will enter the free agency pool. With the potential for the New York Jets to place a franchise tag on Breece Hall and Javonte Williams recently signing a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys, Etienne”s chances of landing a lucrative contract on the open market are improving.
If Hall is tagged, Etienne would emerge as the clear second-best running back available in free agency, trailing only Kenneth Walker, who is expected to return to the Seattle Seahawks. Other free-agent running backs include Rico Dowdle, Rachaad White, Kenneth Gainwell, and Tyler Allgeier, but as the free agency window nears, the number of quality running backs appears to be dwindling.
Given the production Etienne provided for the Jaguars last season, it”s difficult to overlook the promising free agency landscape for this former Clemson star. Fans of the Jaguars can stay updated on all important news by signing up for the free newsletter that delivers the latest updates directly to their inboxes.
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