The Jacksonville Jaguars are surely thrilled that the salary cap ceiling for 2025 will be higher than expected. The extra space will allow them to either re-sign some of their players scheduled to hit their open market or make a couple extra signings in free agency. On the other hand, the Jags may still need to move on from a handful of key contributors despite the cap increase. One of them is running back Travis Etienne, who's entering a contract year.
Keeping Etienne most certainly comes with advantages, but so does trading him. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, for one, believes that they're better off finding him a new home this offseason.
Davenport drew up about every team's dream offseason trade. For the Jaguars, he chose the fifth-year running back, arguing that he's not worth the $6.1 million he's slated to make next season.
"After topping 1,000 yards on the ground in each of his first two seasons, Travis Etienne Jr. had a miserable 2024—he set career lows across the board, including averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry.
By season's end, the 26-year-old had ceded lead back duties to Tank Bigsby.
There is zero chance the Jaguars will pick up Etienne's fifth-year option. One way or another, he won't be in Jacksonville come 2026. Trading him now would also clear all of his $6 million and change off the salary cap."
All things considered, Davenport makes compelling points. Tank Bigsby was a revelation last year, bouncing back from an underwhelming rookie campaign and showing the ability to carry a big workload. The 2023 third-round selection tallied 766 yards on 168 carries and averaged 4.6 yards per tote despite the fact that the offensive line couldn't open lanes up front.
Imagine what kind of numbers Bigsby will be able to put up if he doesn't have defenders on his face by the time he reaches the line of scrimmage. Having said that, the Jaguars cannot overwork the former Auburn Tiger. Sure, he's got fresh legs and has only missed one game, but the Jaguars should have insurance in case he misses time. And why not go with the devil you know? That's where Etienne comes in.
Why the Jaguars would benefit from keeping Travis Etienne in 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be tempted to trade Travis Etienne, free up $6.1 million, and potentially get a Day 3 pick. It's certainly an intriguing proposition, especially when you take into account that quality running backs can be gotten in the middle rounds of the draft. That said, the former Clemson Tiger is a proven commodity, and at 26, he's hitting his prime and should have three or four good years left in him.
Would it be cheaper to draft his replacement or go after someone like Raheem Mostert in free agency? You bet, but Etienne isn't precisely cost-prohibitive. His 2025 salary ranks 10th in the league, according to Spotrac, and he's got the production to back it up.
Although the Louisiana native missed his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury, he showed in 2022 that he was the playmaker the Jaguars expected when they drafted him 25th overall the year prior, logging over 1,400 yards from scrimmage. He followed that up with another 1,400-yard season in 2023.
Granted, Etienne is coming off an underwhelming season, but who's got a realistic chance to bounce back behind an improved offensive line? The injuries he suffered last year weren't serious, so he should also be back at full strength. With new head coach Liam Coen leading the way, he would get a clean start in what will be a contract year. Wouldn't that incentivize him to have a career season?
At worst, Etienne would serve as insurance in case in case Tank Bigsby gets hurt. And at best, he can give the offense a spark the way he did a couple of years ago. At $6.1 million, he could end up giving the Jaguars plenty of bang for the buck.