Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Explains Why Versatility Is Key for RBs in Current Market

The day of the workhorse running back appears to be dying, and the battle for running backs has never been more lopsided as a result.

Travis Etienne's name isn't being thrown around conversations about the running market yet. But soon, it will be. 

The third-year running back is fresh off a 1,000-yard season in his first real NFL season. By all accounts, he is primed for a major year as the Jaguars' top weapon on the ground in 2023 and as Trevor Lawrence's favorite targe.

But for all of Etienne's gifts, he can't escape the same fate that so many of his talented peers have faced in the past and the present: a changing running back market. 

“I feel like I really don’t have a word in it, honestly. I feel like the market is what the market is and for me, to go out there and get the best deal for myself, I have to come out here and work hard each and every day," Etienne said on Saturday. 

"If I don’t produce or be productive, I’m not going to even be in that conversation or there won’t be anybody looking to pay me. The best thing I can do is keep my head down and keep working to win games for my football team.”

The Jaguars and Etienne can't engage in contract negotiations until after the 2023-24 season, so naturally a future pay-day isn't at the top of Etienne's mind. But that doesn't mean the reality of the present climate of the running back position isn't critical for his career, even today.

With running backs like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor all facing resistance from being paid by their clubs despite being productive, early-round selections, it is only natural to wonder just where the running back position will be in a year from now, let alone several years from now.

"Definitely, but I also feel like it depends on the type of back you are because you see some guys getting paid, like, [San Francisco RB] Christian McCaffrey for instance, he catches the ball out of the backfield," Etienne said when asked if he feels like it is an uphill battle for running backs. 

"So, I feel like for running backs moving forward you have to diversify your game, you have to be more than just a downhill bruiser in order to be able to be on that level and have leverage whenever you go into those conversations. Like you said, 300 carries and you're seeing what the market is for guys like that. So, for us, we have to continue to grow and evolve our game because you see the way that football's going, it's a passing league now. We just have to evolve as a whole."

Etienne finished the regular season with 1,441 yards from scrimmage and 5 rushing touchdowns. In the postseason, his 121 yards from scrimmage vs. the Chargers helped lead a historic 27-point comeback—the largest comeback in NFL history for a team that didn’t produce a turnover on defenses.

Etienne became the fourth running back in franchise history to record at least 1,000 rushing yards in his first 15 career games. Through Jaguars players’ first 17 games, Etienne Jr. is fourth in rushing yards. Etienne’s 5.1 yards per carry were fourth among all running backs in the NFL in 2022.

"Yeah, he came back in great shape. Ready and eager to go, and just having an offseason where he didn’t necessarily have to rehab. That just takes it off your mind, too," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said.

"You can just focus on getting yourself conditioned to come back to training camp. The areas that we’re focusing are him being such a good shotgun runner throughout his career, more under-center stuff with him. We can get better there. Just keep improving the vision of all the running backs and understanding the front, where the hole is, and where it could be. All of that comes with time and reps and again, yes, a third-year player, but only in his second year. He’s another one that works out and about and eager once the pads come on to see him work.”

Now, it will be up to Etienne to have another big year. But even if and/or when he does, it won't change the uphill battle.