The Jacksonville Jaguars delivered one of the most compelling storylines of the 2025 NFL season. Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, they didn’t just meet expectations-they blew right past them. A 13-4 regular season record, an AFC South title, and a narrow, down-to-the-wire Wild Card loss to the Bills showed that this team is no longer just a promising project-it’s a legitimate contender.
But as the Jaguars shift into offseason mode, the front office is staring down some tough decisions. Chief among them: what to do with Travis Etienne Jr., a player who just wrapped up the best season of his career.
Etienne was electric in 2025. He racked up 1,107 rushing yards on 260 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per tote-his best mark since his rookie campaign.
And he wasn’t just a threat on the ground. The 27-year-old added 36 receptions for 292 yards and six touchdowns through the air, proving once again that he’s one of the league’s most versatile backs.
He’s a true dual-threat weapon, capable of staying on the field all three downs and making life easier for any quarterback.
But here’s the catch: Etienne is now heading into free agency. And while he’s still got plenty of tread left on the tires, he’s also at an age where running backs often start to feel the wear and tear. That said, if teams around the league believe he can replicate-or even build on-his 2025 production, he could be in line for the biggest payday of his career.
According to Spotrac, Etienne’s market value sits around $6.8 million per year, with a projected two-year deal worth roughly $13.6 million. That’s a fair price for a player who can tilt the field in multiple ways. The question now becomes: where will he land?
Let’s take a look at three destinations that make a lot of sense for Etienne as free agency looms.
Arizona Cardinals: A Rebuild with Room for Speed
Arizona is an intriguing fit, and not just because they have cap space to spend-$42.19 million, to be exact. The Cardinals are entering a new era with Mike LaFleur at the helm, and that means a fresh offensive identity. LaFleur brings with him a background shaped by Sean McVay’s system, one that thrives on outside zone runs and getting skill players into space.
That’s Etienne’s bread and butter.
In fact, since entering the league, Etienne has posted a 90.5 PFF rushing grade on outside runs-proof that he’s more than capable of excelling in a wide-stretch scheme. It’s the kind of system that could unlock even more from his game.
Arizona’s current backfield situation? Let’s just say it’s ripe for a shake-up.
James Conner will be 31 before the 2026 season kicks off and could be a cap casualty. Trey Benson hasn’t lived up to expectations, and the depth chart behind them is thin.
Etienne would offer immediate stability and explosiveness, serving as a bridge back while the Cardinals continue to build around their young core.
Houston Texans: A Nightmare Scenario for Jaguars Fans
If there’s one team that could turn Etienne into a division rival headache, it’s the Houston Texans.
Houston’s backfield is in flux. Joe Mixon missed the entire 2025 season, and his status for 2026 is murky at best. Nick Chubb likely won’t be re-signed, which leaves the Texans with a pair of unproven backs in Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan.
Enter Etienne.
His ability to contribute in both the run and pass game would give C.J. Stroud a dynamic safety valve out of the backfield.
Stroud already made major strides in 2025, and pairing him with a versatile back like Etienne could take the offense to another level. Checkdowns would become chunk plays.
Misdirection and screen passes? Suddenly a lot more dangerous.
The Texans are currently $1.5 million over the cap, but that’s a short-term issue. Their books open up significantly in 2027, meaning they could structure a deal that gives Etienne what he’s worth while keeping things manageable in the short term.
The one concern? Houston’s offensive line.
It struggled last season, and Etienne’s value is maximized when he has room to operate. But if the Texans believe they can shore up the trenches, this could be a match that makes a lot of sense-at least for them.
For Jaguars fans, it would sting.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Can They Afford to Bring Him Back?
The most obvious fit for Etienne is the one we’ve already seen work. Jacksonville knows what it has in him. He’s a known commodity in the locker room, a key piece of the offense, and a player who helped lead the team to a division title.
But the numbers don’t lie-the Jaguars are $11.43 million over the salary cap heading into the offseason. That’s a tough hill to climb, especially when you factor in the presence of Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., two promising young backs on rookie deals. From a roster-building perspective, it might make more sense to let Etienne walk and roll with the cheaper, younger options.
Of course, there’s always the possibility of a hometown discount. Etienne has already proven he fits the scheme and the culture.
If he’s willing to take less to stay in Jacksonville, maybe there’s a path forward. But even then, it’s a tight financial squeeze-and one that could force the front office to make some painful cuts elsewhere.
Etienne’s next move will be one of the more fascinating free agency storylines to watch this spring. He’s coming off a career year, he’s still got burst in his legs, and he’s the kind of weapon that can change the complexion of an offense.
Whether he stays in Duval or takes his talents elsewhere, one thing’s clear: Travis Etienne Jr. has options-and leverage.