The Jacksonville Jaguars let Travis Etienne walk in free agency partly because they weren't going to be able to match the $54 million deal the New Orleans Saints gave him. On the other hand, they believe Bhayshul Tuten can fill his shoes in a hurry. But despite their unwavering trust in the second-year running back, the Jags have caught a bit of heat for not doing nearly enough to bolster their backfield.
Etienne had a banner season in 2025, registering 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns. Critics wonder whether Tuten will be able to recreate that kind of production because he has limited experience.
Coupled with his fumble issues, the former Virginia Tech Hokie is under pressure to prove Jacksonville was right to show Etienne the door. At least one analyst believes he's up to the challenge. Not only that, but also that he's a potential star in the making.
Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten is flying under the radar (but not for long)
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report came up with a list of eight under-the-radar players set to have big roles in 2026. He included Bhayshul Tuten, arguing that the sophomore running back has a clear path to the No. 1 while Chris Rodriguez recovers from foot surgery.
"The Jaguars also signed Chris Rodriguez in free agency, but he suffered a foot injury in the offseason that required surgery," Davenport wrote. "The door is wide open for Tuten to open the regular season as the lead back for a Jaguars team with aspirations of a deep playoff run this season."
Rodriguez is expected to be back for training camp. The fact that he's played for head coach Liam Coen could help him get up to speed quickly. The Jaguars want him to be a big piece of the running game, so he'll probably get a substantial workload. Having said that, Tuten is trending toward being RB1 next season.
Bhayshul Tuten is in a position to make an impact for the Jaguars
Bhayshul Tuten's biggest flag is that he averaged a measly 3.7 yards per carry last year, but that was due to the fact that he got the ball in more short-yardage situations than Travis Etienne last year. With Etienne out of the picture, Tuten will get to showcase his breakaway speed. Heck, he already showcased the ability to break off big runs, registering 51 yards on four carries against the Buffalo Bills in the playoff loss.
Another concern is that the Paulsboro, New Jersey native lost the football twice last season and registered a combined nine fumbles in his last two college seasons. However, Liam Coen doesn't think that's an issue, shrugging it off as a team issue rather than an individual one. But wait, there's more.
Tuten has turned heads with his athleticism in the offseason program. If he's able to build momentum, he'll make everyone forget about Travis Etienne next season.
Sure, Bhayshul Tuten has yet to prove that he can replace Travis Etienne, but the signs are there. And if he does come through, the Jaguars could have a devastating running game.
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