Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick, generated 3,798 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns the past four years in Jacksonville after missing his first season due to injury. He led the Jags with 1,107 yards on 260 carries with seven rushing scores. The running back generated 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 scrimmage TDs.
Etienne was one of six players to have five-plus rushing TDs and five-plus receiving scores in 2025, joining Christian McCaffrey, Ashton Jeanty, RJ Harvey, Jahmyr Gibbs and Chase Brown.
The $13 million-per-year deal in New Orleans makes Etienne the seventh-highest-paid running back. A Louisiana native, the 27-year-old returns home on a hefty contract.
The Saints needed oomph from the backfield after struggling to consistently run the ball in 2025. Etienne brings a dual-threat slasher for Kellen Moore to deploy.
Pivoting forward, the question turns to Alvin Kamara‘s future. The 30-year-old running back is coming off a career-low 471 rushing yards on 131 totes with one touchdown in 11 games. Kamara has said he didn’t want to play anywhere but New Orleans, which puts potential retirement on the table.
Edwards entered the offseason as the top guard on the market, and immediately upgrades a position of need on a Saints offensive line that has shuffled through iterations the past several seasons. Edwards is a consistent starter, solid in the ground game, and improved in pass protection in 2025. After working on a team-friendly deal the past two years in Buffalo, the soon-to-be 29-year-old gets his payday.
With Edwards and Ettienne in town, Moore’s offense is poised to be more consistent in Year 2. Those are much-welcome additions for second-year QB Tyler Shough. The moves also allow the Saints to be more flexible with their No. 8 overall draft pick.