The general postgame routine for an NFL team after a win is to bring a standout player to the press conference room after the coach and quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne was back behind the podium after the 48-20 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 14.
“Two times in a row,” he said. “I’m doing something good.”
Not something good, Travis. Something great and record-tying for him somethings that are making him pricey for the Jaguars.
Etienne’s Free Agent Audition Tour 2025 took another star turn in the Jaguars’ fifth consecutive win, which moved them to 10-4.
Three touchdown catches, the most in a single game by a running back in Jaguars history and tied for the most by any Jaguars player, and some ultra-tough yards on the middle toss, including carries of 8 and 5 yards on the opening drive that set the game’s tone.
Etienne has 949 yards rushing, 254 yards receiving and 12 combined touchdowns.
Ca-ching for Etienne.
Uh-oh for the Jaguars.
A free agent after the season, Etienne’s price tag goes up with every solid game.
The free-agent running back class includes Etienne, the Jets’ Breece Hall, Dallas’ Javonte Williams and Carolina’s Rico Dowdle just to name the top quartet. There will be money to be had for these players.
Enjoy Etienne while you can, Jaguars fans. Chances are this is his last few months in Jacksonville.
“He’s been amazing,” tight end Quintin Morris said. “Even before I got here (this offseason), I saw what he was doing and what he was capable of and it’s come to life.”
Playing like elite back
Etienne caught touchdown passes of 20, 8 and 45 yards against a Jets defense that did a fine job of bottling up the Jaguars’ running game (Etienne 12 carries for only 32 yards), but had no answer for the passing game.
Jaguars coach Liam Coen and his staff used several snaps of two-tailback personnel, which allowed them to deploy Etienne out of the backfield. Him against linebacker Quincy Williams was no contest on the 20-yard score that made it 31-10 before halftime.
Etienne joined Jimmy Smith (2000), Allen Robinson (2015), Marcedes Lewis (2017) and Zay Jones (2022) as Jaguars with three touchdown catches in a game.
“(Etienne) is playing like one of the best backs in the league,” right tackle Anton Harrison said. “It’s fun to watch week-in and week-out, him running the ball, catching the ball, blocking.”
The 45-yard touchdown should be the top play on Etienne’s resume. He caught the swing pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, beat Williams to the edge (with a nice block by Harrison), forced a missed tackle inside the 30-yard line and then turned on the jets (pun intended) to the end zone.
Three catches, three touchdowns. Nice percentage.
“I’ve been ready for it,” Etienne said of catching passes.
And he’s getting ready to cash in because of it.
Bad team might overpay
The Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. last April knowing Etienne was in the final year of his contract. They traded Tank Bigsby early in the regular season to Philadelphia.
Might the Jaguars re-sign Etienne? Of course. They can construct a contract that doesn’t cripple their cap situation. But we don’t know the philosophy of the new administration headed by general manager James Gladstone. Is it draft a back, use him up and then hit the reset button? Or is it commit to a back long-term like the Los Angeles Rams (Gladstone’s former employer) did with Kyren Williams ($11 million average)?
The Jaguars should make Etienne an offer ahead of free agency knowing he will turn it down. Just keep the talks going.
The decision won’t come soon. Etienne and his camp should be keen on hitting the open market in March 2026 just to see if there is a really bad team with a really young quarterback and a really big hole of cap space that is willing to build their offense around Etienne.
Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor tops the average salary list for tailbacks at $14 million. In August, Buffalo extended James Cook for an average of $11.5 million. That should be the goal for Etienne to meet and maybe exceed. He will have two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and likely at least one playoff game to audition.
Shoot, if the Jets choose to move on from Hall, they could pair Etienne with a first-round quarterback. Same with Arizona. If I’m Kansas City, its reset needs to start with a franchise-caliber back.
The Jaguars have three games left, including just one at home. If they win the AFC South, they will play at home in January. The chances to see Etienne in the teal No. 1 could be dwindling.
Enjoy Etienne while you can, Jaguars fans.
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne free-agent price keeps going up
Reporting by Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
