Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen recently addressed persistent rumors suggesting the team might trade running back Travis Etienne. Speaking during organized team activities (OTAs), Coen firmly dismissed the speculation, emphasizing Etienne’s strong performance and denying any trade plans involving him. These remarks come amid a crowded Jaguars backfield and ongoing discussion about the team’s player strategy.
Backfield Competition Intensifies as Jaguars Add New Talent
The rumors surrounding Etienne’s future arise in the context of recent acquisitions that seem to crowd the Jaguars’ running back roster. Alongside Etienne, the team selected Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh round of the draft, signaling a deepening pool of players at the position. Additionally, Tank Bigsby has been seen as a rising star, reportedly surpassing Etienne’s role during the previous season. Etienne is also approaching the final year of his rookie contract, adding another layer of uncertainty to his standing on the team.
Etienne’s Background and Contributions to the Jaguars
Travis Etienne, 26, was a standout at Clemson University, where he started for three seasons and earned first-team All-American honors each year. The Jaguars drafted him 25th overall in the first round of 2021. His rookie contract was a four-year deal worth nearly $13 million, including a signing bonus of over $6.7 million, with the Jaguars later exercising his fifth-year option guaranteed at $6.1 million for the 2025 season.
In the 2024 campaign, Etienne appeared in 15 games and recorded 558 rushing yards on 150 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 39 receptions on 52 targets, totaling 254 receiving yards, underlining his dual-threat capabilities in the Jaguars’ offense.
Significance of Coen’s Statement
Liam Coen’s rejection of trade rumors is significant given the surrounding speculation about Etienne’s future amid competition for playing time. By publicly supporting Etienne and highlighting his performance during OTAs, Coen appears to be signaling confidence in Etienne’s role within the team moving forward. How the Jaguars manage their deep backfield and Etienne’s impending contract year will be key factors in the coming season.
“He’s done a great job [at OTAs],”
Coen said via Pro Football Talk.
“I don’t really understand some of the stuff I’ve kind of seen out there. That’s absolutely inaccurate.”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Head Coach