Since the end of the 2024 season, running back Travis Etienne has been the subject of trade speculation. The fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars added Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen in the NFL Draft did nothing to dispel the rumors. However, head coach Liam Coen is putting an end to the chatter.
Coen met with the local media in the third week of Organized Team Activities and made it clear that Etienne isn't going anywhere, pointing out that he's been everything the team has bargained for and then some.
"He's done everything we've asked him to do, and more," Coen told the press corps when asked what he's seen in Etienne. "There's been a consistency, again, some one of those things where, you know, he can shine in ways, in space. It's really hard to see a runner in this setting. Are they going to get the hard, physical, tough yards? Are they going to be able to stick their foot in the ground and get those physical, violent yards that we're going to need? That's hard to really kind of grade at this moment."
Coen continued, "He's done a great job. I don't, I don't really understand some of the stuff I've kind of seen out there that's, that's absolutely inaccurate."
Just recently, chatter about the Jags potentially trading Etienne ramped up when he missed Day 4 of OTAs. However, Coen was quick to note that his absence was related to a flight issue. With his latest remarks, he's gone a step further.
Of course, Coen could always change his stance, especially if Tuten and/or Bigsby make a strong impression in training camp. Similarly, a team in desperate need of running back help could make Jacksonville an offer it cannot refuse. But for the time being, Etienne appears to be safe, and that should allow him to focus on having a bounce-back season in 2025.
The former Clemson Tiger is coming off an underwhelming season but logged over 1,000 rushing yards each of the two years prior. Working in his favor is that he's healthy after suffering a shoulder injury in 2024. On top of that, the Jags have beefed up the offensive line, so he should have more space to run next season.
Etienne is entering a contract year. Couple that with the ascension of Bigsby last year, and he became a trade candidate since the end of the regular season.
Why the Jaguars may want to keep Travis Etienne in 2025
After the NFL draft, a report surfaced that the new regime wasn't sold on either Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby, potentially opening the door for Bhayshul Tuten to become RB1. Having said that, this is a fluid situation, and things could change in the upcoming months.
For starters, Tuten will need to cut down on his fumble issues. On the other hand, Bigsby will need to build off of his promising sophomore campaign, and if Etienne shows out in the offseason, the Jags may be better off holding onto him. This would, in turn, give them enviable depth and flexibility at the position.
Ultimately, there's a reason Travis Etienne has been an appealing trade candidate: He's a proven commodity that could start for at least half of the NFL teams. Precisely for that reason, the Jaguars may want to keep him around in 2025.
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