Saints News
Travis Etienne Jr. Signs Four-Year Deal With New Orleans Saints, Returns Home to Louisiana
Running back Travis Etienne Jr. is leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars after five seasons, agreeing to a four-year, $52 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday. Etienne is from Jennings, Louisiana, and according to Schefter, being near home was a key factor in his decision.
The deal was among the first major signings of the NFL’s legal tampering period and immediately reshaped the Saints’ backfield heading into 2026.
Etienne, 27, arrives in New Orleans off a strong 2025 campaign. He rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 292 yards and six receiving touchdowns, bringing his total to a career-high 13 scores on the season. It was the third time in his five-year career that he topped 1,000 rushing yards, following strong performances in 2022 and 2023 before a production dip in 2024.
The signing comes after a difficult year for the Saints’ backfield. Veteran Alvin Kamara suffered a sprained MCL in Week 12 and missed the final six games of the season. Kendre Miller was lost in Week 7 to a torn ACL. Devin Neal, a sixth-round pick pressed into duty late in the year, was placed on injured reserve in Week 15 with a hamstring injury. Audric Estime closed out the season as the lead back by default.
With that backdrop, the Saints moved quickly on the first day of the tampering window to secure a proven three-down back. Etienne’s combination of rushing ability and pass-catching out of the backfield fills a need the team has been unable to address from within since Kamara’s health began to erode.
Quarterback Tyler Shough, who took over starting duties for the Saints last season, welcomed Etienne publicly on social media shortly after the deal was reported.
The Saints finished above expectations in 2025 despite a rash of backfield injuries and questions at quarterback entering the season. With Etienne now in place and Shough entering his second year under center, New Orleans appears to be positioning itself as a legitimate contender in the NFC South.
Etienne was selected 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Clemson, where he and former teammate Trevor Lawrence won a national championship together. He missed his entire rookie season with a Lisfranc injury but went on to become one of Jacksonville’s most productive offensive players in franchise history, totaling 3,798 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns in four active seasons with the Jaguars.