As Clemson’s all-time rushing leader and one of the most accomplished offensive players in program history, Travis Etienne has rarely entered an offseason quietly. This one, however, carries more intrigue than most.

After completing another successful year with the Jacksonville Jaguars despite a first-round exit from the NFL Playoffs, Etienne now enters free agency as one of the best running backs available on the open market.

The high demand comes after one of the best overall seasons displayed by the fifth-year running back.

In 2025, Etienne ran the ball for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns on 260 carries while also hauling in 36 receptions for 292 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. His ball security was also elite, as he fumbled just once all season.

As a result, several potential landing spots have already emerged. This past Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay projected Etienne as a fit for several teams around the league, citing both his production and the current state of the running back market.

Being ranked as the No. 1 running back on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s latest free-agent big board, Kay identified the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets as potential landing spots.

For Dallas, Kay wrote that Etienne “would be a sensible choice for a Cowboys team that should be feeling desperate for some backfield stability,” pointing to ongoing questions about the Cowboys’ run game if starter Javonte Williams takes his talents elsewhere.

Denver also surfaced as a logical fit, as the Broncos’ rushing attack “has been one of the roster’s weak points” under head coach Sean Payton, especially with the loss of J.K. Dobbins this year to a foot sprain. If Denver is to land Etienne, he could serve as a proven, every-down option for the team.

A return to Jacksonville hasn’t been ruled out either. Kay noted that the Jaguars “know exactly what they have in Etienne and shouldn’t be willing to let him walk in free agency,” suggesting that the team could still explore ways to retain him after a critical bounce-back season.

Meanwhile, Kansas City’s interest would stem from a need for a consistent ground presence, with Etienne viewed as a massive upgrade over the current backfield duo of 30-year-old Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco.

The Jets rounded out Kay’s projections, as New York is expected to have both cap flexibility and roster openings following a brutal 3-14 campaign.

For a more Jaguars-focused perspective, Sports Illustrated journalist Andy Quach offered a narrower outlook on Etienne’s market.

Quach wrote that Jacksonville “may have already seen Travis Etienne’s last game in the black and teal,” picking the Tennessee Titans and the New York Jets as the two teams most likely to pursue him.

The credited journalist added that Tennessee’s current backfield construction could allow Etienne to provide “the best of both worlds” as a dual-threat runner and receiver, while potentially costing less than current starter Tony Pollard, who will be making nearly seven million dollars in 2026.

New York’s inclusion once again emphasizes the league-wide belief that the Jets could be aggressive in reshaping their offense due to the cap space they hold, regardless of how their quarterback situation unfolds.

As Etienne weighs his options, his 2025 production ensures he enters free agency with leverage.