There may not be a running back who wishes the 2024 season never happened more than Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars. After gaining over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, Etienne’s production fell off a cliff last year.
That makes the 2025 campaign a make-or-break season for Etienne. Trade rumors have swirled around Etienne from the moment that the Jags drafted Bhayshul Tuten, but Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen didn’t sound like a man planning to send Etienne packing while speaking to reporters.
“Everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done at a good clip for us,” Coen said. “I mean, the ability in the screen game, to hand him jet sweeps. His vision, so far, in the run game has been good. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and more. There’s been a consistency.”
Saying that Etienne’s value has “skyrocketed” may be stretching that term just a tad. But let’s be real about Jacksonville’s running backs. Tank Bigsby is a between-the-tackles grinder who is a non-factor in the passing game. Tuten is a Day 3 rookie who struggled with both fumbles and pass protection at Virginia Tech.
Etienne’s struggles in 2024 went well beyond the back himself—the entire Jacksonville offense was a mess. If Coen can turn that offense around this year, the No. 1 running back should be a big beneficiary.
And whether folks want to admit it, Etienne is the No. 1 running back.
