After the 2024 season, speculation about Travis Etienne's future with the Jacksonville Jaguars emerged. The chatter only ramped up after the team's brass added Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen to their backfield this past April. Since then, head coach Liam Coen emphatically shut down the idea that the Jags are shopping the fifth-year running back. Just recently, a trusted NFL insider weighed in on the whole ordeal and shared his thoughts.
James Palmer of Bleacher Reports argues that the rumors of Etienne being traded might've been overblown, pointing out that Liam Coen likes the 2021 first-round pick and won't be able to truly asses him until he puts the pads on.
"Travis Etienne and some trade rumors here, I don't think there really are, honestly, I think they've been kind of brought up from a variety of ways, knowing that he's just nearing the end of his rookie deal," Palmer said on a livestream (13:37 mark). " I think Liam Cohen has kind of shut them down during his media availability. But I think reading into what Cohen is saying, I think is important, though, I think he likes what he can do in space. He likes what Etienne can do on jet sweeps, things like that, screen game."
Palmer continued, "I think what he's trying to evaluate, as these are new decision makers that there in Jacksonville, is, and it's hard to do this in the spring, is what type of physical runner is Travis Etienne in their mind? Is he a guy that can put his foot in the ground and get tough physical yards? They're trying to figure that part out of it as well."
That said, Palmer doesn't rule out the possibility of the Jags trading Etienne down the road but won't give him up for chump change.
"I think these rumors are going to continue as we see it fit. I think how the Jacksonville Jaguars season goes could play a factor into this as well... Like, that's the thing. You're not going to give them away for, like, a fifth or sixth-round pick. I don't think he's still young, right?... He missed his rookie season with the Lisfranc, so I think you don't just give him away. I think it would have to be a day to pick if you could, but I don't know if they're going to be able to get something like that," Palmer said.
During his stream, Palmer brougth up the fact that the Denver Broncos could've been a potential landing spot for Etienne but no longer are after signing J.K. Dobbins.
As Palmer noted, Etienne's future in Jacksonville became the subject of speculation because he's entering a contract season, and fellow running back Tank Bigsby outplayed him last year. However, Coen made it clear during Organized Team Activities that it was all nonsense.
The Jaguars may end up trading Travis Etienne (but not until the regular seson starts)
All things considered, it makes sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars to keep Travis Hunter around. After the NFL Draft, a report surfaced that they weren't sold on him and Tank Bigsby, but it looks like both are getting a fair chance to prove themselves.
And that's the thing, Bhayshul Tuten could become RB1 down the road, but the Jags will first make sure he's ready before they make a decision on Bigsby. For the time being, the rookie running back has mostly practiced with the second team. Moreover, Etienne gives Jacksonville insurance in case they suffer injuries at the position in the summer.
It's also worth noting that the former Clemson Tiger's demand isn't currently that high, but that could change if a contender suffers an injury at running back. If that's the case, the Jags could potentially get that Day 2 pick in exchange for him.
Worst-case scenario, the Jacksonville Jaguars keep Travis Etienne in the regular season. That's not a bad outcome at all. Then again, they might not hesitate to trade him if another team makes an intriguing offer. So far, it hasn't come.