Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
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Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on January 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Gone are the day of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara being one of the most feared playmakers in the NFL.
Kamara, now 30 years old, is still capable of being a quality back. However, it has become clear that the Saints needed to start looking ahead to the future after Kamara.
With that in mind, New Orleans made a big move early on in the NFL free agency negotiating window.
According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Saints have agreed to terms on a deal with Louisiana native and former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.
“Source: Former Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will be signing with the New Orleans Saints,” Schefter wrote on X. “He’s from Louisiana and it was important for him to be near home.”
The deal is reportedly worth $52 million over the course of four years.
What Will Travis Etienne Jr. Bring to the Saints’ Offense?
During his college career with the Clemson Tigers, Etienne looked like a future NFL star. That run led to him being the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jaguars.
Since being drafted that high, Etienne has failed to live up to the expectations. He hasn’t been bad, but the star potential that was seen during his Clemson days has not been evident in Jacksonville.
Perhaps a change of scenery will help get Etienne’s NFL career back on the right trajectory.
Throughout his first four seasons with the Jaguars, the 27-year-old running back has carried the football 897 times for 3,798 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has also chipped in with 168 receptions for 1,338 yards and seven scores, showcasing his ability to be a dual-threat back.
The New Orleans Offense Is Starting to Take Shape
Bringing in Etienne will help solidify the ground game for the Saints. However, the future of quarterback Tyler Shough has given New Orleans hope.
Shough was drafted No. 40 overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he took over the starting job and never looked back.
In the 11 games he played for the Saints last season, Shough threw for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also completed 67.6 percent of his pass attempts and ran for 186 yards and three more scores.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, New Orleans will have both Etienne and Kamara in the backfield to support and take pressure off of Shough and the aerial attack. At least on the outside looking in, the Saints seem to be building something that could last.
Hopefully, Etienne is able to live up to the hefty investment New Orleans has made in him. It’s an aggressive gamble, but the Saints clearly feel that they can help Etienne reach his ceiling after an inconsistent four years in Jacksonville.