The Real Reason the Jaguars Let Travis Etienne Walk in Free Agency

Why did the Jacksonville Jaguars really let Travis Etienne leave in free agency?

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) walks off the field after losing to the Bills during an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a few bold calls in 2026 so far,

One of the boldest? Letting Travis Etienne walk in free agency after a year in which he recorded 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in his lone season under new head coach Liam Coen.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes for yards during the third 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] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While Jaguars general manager James Gladstone acknowledged the team had interest in retaining Etienne after he signed with the New Orleans Saints to return to Louisiana, it is fair to say the Jaguars do not seem to hate how things fell together with the addition of Chris Rodriguez Jr. to the backfield.

In fact, recent comments from Coen at the league meetings in Phoenix this week seem to indicate why the Jaguars truly let Etienne walk.

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Coen's Take

Coen and the Jaguars have done nothing but sing Etienne's praises since before the season began, during his strong 2025, and even after he left to sign with the Saints in free agency last month. But with that said, it stands to reason the Jaguars could believe they have a stronger fit for what they want in the running back position in Rodriguez, who has quite a different profile than Etienne.

"I look at personally at rushing yards over expected and yards after contact is what I give a crap about personally. Because it's like, what are you doing outside of what we're blocking? And what does that look like? Because I can't coach that," Coen said.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

These are two rushing metrics that help isolate a running back's value and performance from what the offensive line provides them. In many ways, it can help determine how much a running back is creating on their own and how much of their production is simply what was blocked for them.

For Rodriguez, these are areas he has thrived. In limited touches in 2023, he ranked amongst the top-15 running backs in the NFL per attempt in both stats. He once again thrived in yards after contact in 2024. And then with his largest sample size yet in 2025, he ranked No. 14/48 of qualified running backs in rushing yards over expected per attempt and then No. 2 in yards after contact in attempt -- tied with Derrick Henry and ahead of Bijan Robinson.

Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) rushes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

"Guys that get more than what's there, I can't coach that. The guys that break tackles at a high level, whether it's via Reggie Bush, whether it's with stiff arms, jumping over them, running through them, I don't care how you do it, I just care that you do it, because I can't coach it," Coen said.

"And so, when you have and do things that I can't coach on a consistent level, to me that's important for players, because it's like, I can't coach you to do that. If the run is blocked for eight yards and we get eight yards, well, it's kind of like, I need more, I want to see more."

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference as general manager James Gladstone looks on at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As for Etienne, this is one metric he did not fare well in during the 2025 season. He started the year hot in both areas but eventually settled in as the No. 33 and No. 29 ranked-back in each category. Outside of an elite year in each stat in 2022, these are two areas Etienne has routinely ranked low in over the years.

Year	Etienne's RYOE/Att Rank	Etienne's YAC/Att Rank
2022	3/41	10/41
2023	34/44	38/44
2024	34/41	27/41
2025	33/48	29/48

That is not to take away from Etienne's talents or contributions. But for what Coen values at the running back position, it looks clear why the Jaguars operated the way they did at running back.

"So, yeah, we may not get every single aspect of everything TJ [RB Travis Etienne Jr.] was able to do for us in every single way in run, pass, protection, whatever it is, but I’ve got to believe we can run the ball effectively next year with the guys that we have," Coen said.