Liam Coen: Jaguars Not Looking To Trade RB Travis Etienne

The new Jaguars regime – led by head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone – was reported last month to be “not so high” on Etienne. The former first-rounder missed his entire rookie season due to injury but handled a heavy workload as Jacksonville’s lead back in 2022 and ’23. The emergence of Tank Bigsby last season led to a reduction in Etienne’s usage, but the latter should not be considered available at this time.

“He’s done a great job,” Coen said when speaking to the media about Etienne (video link). “I don’t really understand some of the stuff I’ve kind of seen out there. That’s absolutely inaccurate.”

A public rejection of the speculation surrounding Etienne’s future obviously does not represent a guarantee he will remain in place for 2025. Coen’s remarks do, however, certainly point toward that being the case. Jacksonville picked up Etienne’s fifth-year option last spring; as a result, the Clemson product is owed $6.14MM this year. As a pending free agent, Etienne’s play under Coen will of course be crucial in determining his market value.

Fumbles emerged as an issue in Bigsby’s case last year, one in which his snap share jumped to 36%. Two more years remain on his rookie contract, so a role of some kind should be expected as the Coen era begins. The Jags’ backfield also includes fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten, and he will aim to carve out a share of the carries in 2025. Improvement on the ground will expected for Jacksonville given Coen’s success in that regard with Tampa Bay last year.

Etienne – who topped 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2022 and again the following year – will aim to return to his previous efficiency as a rusher while remaining a key contributor out of the backfield in 2025. Doing so would help his chances of landing a long-term Jacksonville commitment next spring. While it remains to be seen if that will take place, a trade between now and Week 1 has become even more unlikely.