Travis Etienne best fits: Top free agent landing spots for Jaguars RB Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYThu, March 5, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC 0 Travis Etienne best fits: Top free agent landing spots for Jaguars RB This cat is about to get the bag. Running backs aren't known for receiving large paydays in the NFL, but Travis Etienne is in a position to secure a respectable check from a team this offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars running back figures to shake free out of the Sunshine State, paving the way for him to sign elsewhere when free agency begins.
Travis Etienne best fits: Top free agent landing spots for Jaguars RB
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYThu, March 5, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC
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Travis Etienne best fits: Top free agent landing spots for Jaguars RB
This cat is about to get the bag.
Running backs aren't known for receiving large paydays in the NFL, but Travis Etienne is in a position to secure a respectable check from a team this offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars running back figures to shake free out of the Sunshine State, paving the way for him to sign elsewhere when free agency begins.
He could be the best available at the position when the dust settles, with no shortage of running back-needy teams hoping to avoid dipping into the draft pool in April.
It's especially true when the running back class in the 2026 NFL Draft is considered to be weaker than usual. That automatically drives up the price for Etienne, who has proven to be a consistent and durable player in Jacksonville.
If Etienne does leave the Jaguars, it would be the first time since 2017 that he will play for a team that doesn't have Trevor Lawrence on the roster. In other words, things could look much different for the running back in 2026.
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Here's a look at some of the top landing spots for Etienne in free agency.
1 / 0NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaTravis Etienne landing spotsKansas City Chiefs
It's not a secret that the Chiefs need a running back. The committee approach with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and others didn't work in 2025, meaning Kansas City needs to invest in an upgrade at the position. They have the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is in the range of where Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love likely comes off the board. That is a move that makes sense on the surface, but it's hard to justify a pick like that for the Chiefs.
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Running backs are much easier to find in the later rounds or, in this case, free agency, making a premium draft investment far from worthwhile. Love could be a highlight machine, but how often will the Chiefs have a top-10 pick like this? It's important to extract as much value as possible from that selection and landing the explosive Etienne in free agency is a great way to ensure they aren't boxed into a corner come draft night.
Minnesota Vikings
Out goes Aaron Jones, in comes Etienne? The 27-year-old has less mileage on his legs at the NFL level and profiles as a dual-threat out of the backfield. More importantly, he has been a durable back for the Jaguars and the Vikings could certainly use that in an offense that had a lot of moving parts last season.
Minnesota has to feel like they let a season get away from them in 2025, crashing back down to earth after a 14-win season in 2024. Handing the keys to J.J. McCarthy didn't work out and the Vikings struggled to carry that momentum from one year to the next. Many of the same faces still remain though, so a few good moves could make all the difference. Adding someone like Etienne, who finished with 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, could be what the doctor ordered for Kevin O'Connell's team.
New Orleans Saints
Etienne could go back home. A Louisiana native, the running back opted to leave the state for college to play for Clemson, but now has the chance to play professionally for the Saints. The 31-year-old Alvin Kamara remains atop the New Orleans depth chart, but there is no guarantee that will remain the case. The veteran missed six games in 2025 and could be a candidate for a reduced role next season.
Given the injury issues for Kamara, Etienne makes for a great candidate to lead the backfield alongside second-year starter Tyler Shough. New Orleans should be in talent-acquisition mode this offseason as it tries to surround Shough with a solid supporting cast while the rebuild continues.
Denver Broncos
If Etienne is looking for a contender, he can easily find one in Denver. The Broncos continue to have a need for a running back, which they tried to fill with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey last season. Signing Etienne would represent a double whammy for the Broncos. Not only would he improve Denver's offense, but it would also weaken the outlook of its division rival in Kansas City, who could be in the market for Etienne as well.
The Broncos have already shown that they have a defense capable of being a contender. Now they need the offense to match that.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Etienne landing spots: Best fits for Jaguars RB in free agency
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Published: March 5, 2026 at 03:27PM on Source: MANUEL MAG
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