The Jacksonville Jaguars will need to reload in the offseason if they want to bounce back from a disappointing 2024. Once they're done with their coaching search, they'll need to turn their attention to the roster and see what positions they must bolster. At the same time, the Jags will have to move on from a handful of players to make room for others. That could lead the team's brass to trade one of their offensive mainstays.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report put together a list of bold predictions for the 2025 offseason and has Jacksonville trading running back Travis Etienne to the Dallas Cowboys, arguing that he may be expendable due to the presence of teammate Tank Bigbsy.
On the other hand, Moton thinks the Boys' backfield could use a boost after failing to properly address it last year.
"Last offseason, Dallas failed to adequately address its backfield. Instead, it brought back Ezekiel Elliott, who already had 2,065 carries worth of tread on his legs. The coaching staff also waited until late November to feature Rico Dowdle as the lead tailback. A year later, the Cowboys can right that wrong by getting back to a run-heavy or balanced attack with a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.
This past season, Etienne and Tank Bigsby had a near split in touches (189 to 175). With Etienne entering a contract year, the Jaguars may be willing to trade him and move forward with Bigsby as their lead ball-carrier."
After an unremarkable rookie campaign, Bigsby showed considerable growth in 2024, toting the rock 168 times for 766 yards with seven trips to the end zone. On the other hand, Etienne saw a dip in production due to injuries and the ascension of his younger counterpart.
After registering over 1,400 yards from scrimmage in consecutive years, Etienne logged 766 yards and seven touchdowns on 168 carries in 2024. On top of that, he averaged 3.7 yards per rush, whereas Bigsby had a 4.6 average.
Granted, the offensive line couldn't run block, and Etienne believes his struggles in 2024 will make him better. That said, the dip was noticeable. When you take into account that he's entering a contract year and there will be a new head coach in place, the Louisiana native is a realistic trade partner.
The Jaguars have options when it comes to Travis Etienne in 2025
There has been chatter that the Jacksonville Jaguars will move on from general manager Trent Baalke. If they end up pulling the trigger, Travis Etienne's chances of returning could decrease considerably. After all, a new regime won't have an attachment to him, so it wouldn't have trouble moving on from him.
Given Etienne's past production, maybe the Jags could get a third, maybe a fourth if they place him on the trade block. That said, they should also consider the possibility of keeping him around in 2024. After all, he has a manageable cap hit of $6.1 million next year.
Furthermore, who's to say he won't fare better if the front office bolsters the offensive trenches? Similarly, the Jags may want to have insurance in case Tank Bigsby misses time, and there will be no better replacement than the 2021 first-round pick.
This is to say that the same reasons that make Travis Etienne an appealing the same target are precisely the same reasons Jacksonville should consider keeping him around for at least one more year.
Just last offseason, the New York Giants let Saquon Barkley walk and he went on to have a career season with the Philadelphia Eagles. What if the Jaguars make the same mistake only to see Travis Etienne thrive with the Cowboys or somewhere else?