Travis Etienne Jr. just delivered one of the best seasons of his career. He rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries, added 36 receptions for 292 yards and six more scores, and fumbled only once all year.
What makes Etienne special isn’t just the volume — it’s the versatility. He’s a rare RB1 who can explode outside the tackles, break long gains, and handle elite pass-blocking duties, posting a 69.3 PFF grade this season that reflects his growth as a protector in the passing game.
Now, as free agency looms, the question becomes whether Jacksonville values its star running back enough to stop him from hitting the open market.
Here are the three most compelling destinations for Travis Etienne Jr. if he hits free agency.
Chicago Bears
This one has been in the conversation since before the season ended.
The Bears have cap room and a glaring need at running back. More importantly, they have Ben Johnson, one of the most creative offensive minds in the league. With Johnson entering his second year in Chicago, building on Caleb Williams’ breakout season will be a top priority.
Williams is a young franchise quarterback who benefits enormously from a running back who can catch out of the backfield and force linebackers into conflict.
Etienne is one of the best in the league at exactly that.
The cold weather hurdle is real, but the right contract has a way of warming up even the most Southern sensibilities.
Carolina Panthers
This is the one landing spot nobody’s talking enough about.
Travis Etienne’s younger brother, Trevor, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Family proximity is a real variable in free agency decisions, and Carolina has a genuine need — Rico Dowdle is expected to depart and Chuba Hubbard remains a potential cut candidate if the Panthers can find a viable replacement.
The football case is there too. Carolina’s offensive line graded fourth in run-blocking per Pro Football Focus in 2025. Dave Canales is the kind of coach who knows how to deploy a back of Etienne’s versatility.
It may not be the best situation to compete for a Super Bowl, but it might be the most personally compelling one for Etienne.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee projects to have among the most cap space in the league this offseason and head coach Robert Saleh wants to run the ball.
The Titans are expected to pursue a running back in free agency and have already been rumored to be interested in signing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III.
That said, Etienne Jr. might actually be the better fit.
While Cam Ward is still developing, Etienne is the type of three-down back that can be a savior for a young QB, and the Titans have enough space to add playmakers to surround them both.
The run game was actually one of the lone bright spots for the Titans on offense last season. Running back Tony Pollard eclipsed 1,000 yards and rushed for over 100 yards in three of the final five regular season games. Heading into the final game of the season, Tennessee’s offensive line ranked 11th in the league, according to PFF.
There’s also a geographic pull. Etienne grew up in Jennings, Louisiana and has already joked that he’s not made for cold weather.
Tennessee isn’t home, but it’s closer than Chicago.
Combine that with the opportunity to be the centerpiece of a team on the rise, and Tennessee emerges as a destination that checks both football and personal boxes.
Why The Jaguars Might Not Be Able To Resign Etienne
Head coach Liam Coen has been explicit about valuing Etienne, but there’s a good chance he still might not end up in Jacksonville.
Coen has built his offense around Etienne’s versatility — lining him up in multiple spots, using him as a receiver, and asking him to contribute in pass protection. The Jaguars are returning all five of their offensive linemen next season, so there’s no reason to believe he can’t build on one of the best seasons of his career.
The catch is the salary cap situation.
Jacksonville enters the offseason over the cap with competing priorities on both sides of the ball. If Devin Lloyd’s situation consumes significant resources, the Etienne conversation gets harder, especially with Bhayshul Tuten lurking in the background.
Jacksonville didn’t pick up Etienne’s fifth-year option, and the franchise tag is almost certainly off the table, so he hits the open market clean. Spotrac values him at $6.8M annually. Meanwhile, PFF projects a three-year deal worth $34.5M with $22.5M in guaranteed money.
