![Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) catches a pass during the 10th organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_40,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01jxe77q9fv17aetvm6m.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) catches a pass during the 10th organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Although head coach Liam Coen has emphatically shut down the idea that the Jacksonville Jaguars are shopping Travis Etienne, speculation hasn't stopped. Chatter that he could be traded continues and won't probably stop anytime soon. That said, a potential destination for the fifth-year running back, if the Jags change their stance in the upcoming months, is suddenly out of the equation.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Denver Broncos are signing running back J.K. Dobbins to a one-year deal, potentially putting an end to the thought of trading for Etienne.
A second-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens, Dobbins spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. He's appeared in 37 games with 21 starts and toted the rock 429 times for 2,922 yards with 21 touchdowns.
Despite the fact that Dobbins has averaged a healthy 5.2 yards per carry, his availability or lack thereof remains an issue, as he's only played more than 10 games in a season twice in his career. In fact, he suffered a torn ACL in 2021 that forced him to miss the whole year. Having said that, the former Ohio State Buckeye managed to suit up for 13 contests last year, and the Broncos might've felt comfortable enough with his physical to lock him up.
Now, Dobbins joins a backfield that includes 2025 second-round pick RJ Harvey. With sophomore Audric Estime also in the mix, Denver no longer has to consider the possibility of trading for Etienne.
Now, there were no official reports linking the former Clemson Tiger to the Broncos, but if the Jaguars decided to place him on the trade block, they'll have one fewer potential partner.
Why the Jaguars may end up keeping Travis Etienne in 2025
Travis Etienne recently told the local media that he isn't concerned about the noise and is instead focused on being the best possible player he can be. That seems like the right approach, especially when you consider that the Jacksonville Jaguars weren't reportedly sold on him and fellow running back Tank Bigsby. However, a strong offseason could change the new regime's mind. And tha'ts the thing, the Louisiana native is far from a slouch.
A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne missed his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury but posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. While he wasn't nearly as productive last year, that was in part due to a shoulder injury and the offensive line's inability to open running lanes.
Etienne is now healthy and should find much more success with a beefed-up offensive line. That would make him an intriguing depth piece even if Tuten or Bigsby get ahead of him on the depth chart. Heck, unless a team offers more than a sixth-round pick, Jacksonville may decide that keeping him around is the best course of action.
It's also worth noting that Coen has stated several times that the Jags won't truly begin to assess players until they put pads on. But once they do, Etienne will have the chance to prove that trading him would be a mistake.