Saints to sign former Jaguars RB Travis Etienne

New Orleans, LA—The New Orleans Saints have secured a hometown splash in free agency, agreeing to a four-year, $52 million contract with former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. The Jennings, Louisiana, native returns to his home state after four seasons in Jacksonville, providing the Saints with the explosive backfield presence they have sorely missed.

Etienne, 27, is coming off his third 1,000-yard rushing season in four years, finishing the 2025 campaign with 1,107 yards on 260 carries, including seven touchdowns. His 28 runs of 10-plus yards and a season-long 71-yard burst underscore the home-run ability offensive coordinator Kellen Moore now inherits. According to Pro Football Focus, Etienne has produced 256 combined touchdowns and first downs since 2022, ranking eighth among NFL running backs in that span.

A versatile threat out of the backfield, Etienne added 36 receptions on 52 targets for 292 yards and six receiving touchdowns last season, giving quarterback Tyler Shough a reliable safety valve and big-play option. The former Clemson Tiger and first-round draft pick joins a Saints offense looking to rebuild around Shough and re-establish a balanced attack.

By bringing Etienne closer to home—a stated priority during free-agent negotiations—New Orleans believes it has landed both a cultural and statistical catalyst for a roster aiming to return to playoff contention.