Will this particular NFL team pursue former Clemson star Travis Etienne in free agency?
The Kansas City Chiefs could target Etienne, and it sounds like he may be eyeing Kansas City as his next NFL destination, according to Pete Sweeney, a veteran beat writer for The Kansas City Star.
Sweeney recently reported that Etienne, who is set to become a free agent and hit the open market this offseason, has “legitimate interest” in joining the Chiefs.
The 27-year-old running back has spent the first five years of his pro career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected by the franchise in the first round (25th overall pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 2025 campaign marked the final year of Etienne’s rookie contract, with Etienne playing on his fifth-year option.
“Ahead of Combine week, I’m hearing there’s legitimate interest from Travis Etienne to come to KC,” Sweeney wrote in a social media post on X. “Etienne’s due to become a UFA on 3/11, and the Chiefs need a running back. We’ll see.”
Clemson running back Travis Etienne during pregame of Clemson’s game against Miami at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)
The 2026 league year and free agency officially begin at 4 p.m. on March 11. Teams can start negotiating when the league’s legal tampering period window begins at noon on March 9.
Sweeney isn’t the only one who has linked the Chiefs to Etienne.
ESPN’s Eric Moody recently predicted Etienne to sign with the Chiefs during free agency.
“Etienne would be intriguing as a proven, versatile back who has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four healthy seasons, including 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025,” Moody wrote. “His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver (5,136 career all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns) would boost a Chiefs backfield that averaged less 4.0 yards per carry last season and failed to produce a running back with at least 200 receiving yards.”
ESPN ranks Etienne as the 24th-best free agent available this offseason, and ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently pegged the Chiefs as the best team fit for Etienne.
“Etienne has the play speed to upgrade a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season (106.6 yards per game),” Bowen wrote. “And with his dual-threat ability as a pass catcher, Etienne would be schemed on screens and backfield releases in coach Andy Reid’s system. This is a move to add more juice and big-play ability to the Kansas City offense. Etienne’s 26 rushes of 10 or more yards with Jacksonville tied for 12th in the NFL last season.”
Ahead of Combine week, I’m hearing there’s legitimate interest from Travis Etienne to come to KC. Etienne’s due to become a UFA on 3/11, and the Chiefs need a running back. We’ll see.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) February 21, 2026