In spite of the crushing loss to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, there's no doubt that the Jacksonville Jaguars had plenty of success in 2025. Liam Coen proved to be a home-run hire at head coach, while Trevor Lawrence once again played like a top-10 quarterback. If that wasn't enough, the defense went from one of the worst in the NFL to one of the best in the span of just one season.
With Coen leading the way, the Jags should have no trouble picking up where they left off in 2026. That said, they already have their work cut out for the offseason. One of the biggest decisions they'll need to make is whether they'll re-sign one of their offensive mainstays.
The Jaguars may not have room for Travis Etienne in 2026
Travis Etienne is coming off the third 1,000-yard season of his career. However, Dan Graziano of ESPN isn't sure that he'll return to Jacksonville next year, pointing out that the Jags have Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. in the fold. Here's the skinny.
"A new administration in Jacksonville drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. last April, and they haven't re-signed Etienne yet," Graizano wrote. "So, it certainly looks as if he's not in the Jags' future plans, though he had an excellent season in coach Liam Coen's system. I think they will try to bring him back, but a better offer from another team would force him to make a decision."
A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne missed his rookie campaign after suffering a Lisfranc injury. He bounced back the following season and went on to register over 1,200 rushing yards in 2023. The former Clemson Tiger once again crossed the 1,000-yard mark in 2023, but a shoulder injury hindered his production one year later.
Aside from the injury, the arrival of a new regime raised questions about Etienne's future with the team in 2025. However, he made a strong impression and became the top option in the Jacksonville backfield. He finished the year with 1,107 yards with seven rushing touchdowns on 260 carries. On top of that, he had 36 catches for 292 yards with six touchdowns.
Having increased his stock, Etienne should have no trouble finding a team that's willing to give him a market contract. He may not get $15 million a year, but nobody would bat an eye if a club makes him an offer that pays him around $10 million per year. This begs the question: Would the Jags make that kind of commitment to the veteran running back?
With Bhayshul Tuten around, the Jaguars may be ready to move on from Travis Etienne
As Dan Graziano noted, there's still a chance the Jaguars find a way to keep Travis Etienne from leaving. That said, he probably won't hesitate to leave if another team makes an offer that's significantly higher. After all, players have a limited earning window, and nobody should blame them for wanting to cash in.
Spotrac set Etienne's market value at $6.8 million per year. If that's what it takes to bring him back, general manager James Gladstone should strongly consider re-signing him. That said, the team is currently more than $7 million over the cap and has more pressing needs than running back. Couple that with the fact that Jacksonville has Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen in the fold, and letting Etienne likely makes the most sense from a financial standpoint.
Ultimately, re-signing Travis Etienne shouldn't be ruled out just yet, but the Jaguars may not be able to give him the contract he wants in free agency.