![Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) hauls in a reception during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Friday, July 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k1vsxwbqkhfmywswfx.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) hauls in a reception during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Friday, July 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
With the preseason inching closer, it looks like Tank Bigsby is the frontrunner to seize the RB1 job. However, there's still plenty of time for both Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten to raise their respective stock. In fact, the Jacksonville Jaguars just released their first unofficial depth chart of 2025, and if it is of any indication, the competition for the top spot in their backfield is far from over.
Just days before the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville released its unofficial depth chart. Things in the upcoming weeks, and several players will either move up or tumble down, but one thing stands out, and it's that Etienne is ahead of Bigsby in the pecking order.
This is noteworthy because Bigsby has been getting more carries than Etienne in training camp. Even in the mock game, Bigsby was in for the first drive, and Etienne joined until late in the second. Furthermore, he got a carry until the third.
Having said that, Etienne is no slouch and still has ample time to show the coaching staff that he deserves a prominent role in the Jacksonville backfield.
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Travis Etienne could still get a big role with the Jaguars in 2025
Although Travis Etienne was the subject of trade rumors early in the offseason, head coach Liam Coen has since put the speculation to rest. And based on recent intel from Dan Graziano of ESPN, the former Clemson Tiger will be part of a backfield rotation alongside Tank Bigsby.
Graziano showed up at Jaguars training camp and shared some of the things he saw. One of them was that Jacksonville plans to keep four running backs in 2025, pointing out that Bigsby and Etienne could carve out different roles. Here's the skinny.
"The Jaguars plan to keep four running backs and to use a committee approach there as well. They see Travis Tienne Jr. as a potentially very dangerous part of Coen's screen game. Tank Bigsby is viewed as more of a physical pounder, so maybe that means he's the short-yardage and goal-line option."
Graziano goes on to say that Bhayhsul Tuten is "the speed merchant and home run threat," while LeQuint Allen Jr. is a player the Jags project as a third-down back because of his pass-blocking prowess and pass-catching abilities.
Of course, plans can change, and just because the Jaguars plan to keep four running backs next season doesn't mean they will. Heck, the fact that Etienne has the top spot on the unofficial depth chart might be by design. This is a conjecture, but it could be that Jacksonville wants to bait other teams into inquiring about the 2021 first-round pick.
Keep in mind that Etienne is coming off an unremarkable season and is entering a contract year. Couple that with the presence of Bigsby and Tuten, and the Jags can most definitely afford to trade Etienne.
On the other hand, the Louisiana native ran for over 1,000 yards in 2022 and 2023. Having him around gives the Jags great depth at running back, so they may not want to trade up unless they get an offer they can refuse.
For the time being, it looks like Travis Etienne is sticking around, and based on the unofficial depth chart, he could get an expanded role in 2025 even with Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten in the fold.