Deadspin | Saints to sign RB Travis Etienne to $52M deal
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes for yards against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Free agent running back Travis Etienne agreed to sign a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints worth $52 million, according to multiple reports.
Etienne, 27, had a career year in 2025 in his first season in Liam Coen’s offense with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In New Orleans, his arrival likely spells the end of Alvin Kamara’s run as the lead back with the Saints.
Etienne had 1,399 yards from scrimmage while New Orleans had a woeful running game led by the oft-injured Kamara’s 471 yards on 131 carries.
Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught 36 passes — six for touchdowns — and is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield because of his big-play speed. His longest touchdown last season was a 45-yard reception.
New Orleans was 28th in the NFL in rushing (94.3 yards per game) and 31st in yards per carry (3.69-yard average) in 2025.
–Field Level Media