One of the league’s top free-agent running backs is reportedly off the market, as former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. has signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Etienne is from Louisiana, and now he’s heading back as a member of the Saints. His departure from Jacksonville marks the end of his time playing with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whom Etienne also joined in the backfield at Clemson.

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Together, they won a national title with the Tigers back in 2018.

Etienne, 27, is entering his sixth year in the league after the Jaguars selected him 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, 24 picks after they made Lawrence the top selection. He missed his entire rookie season with a Lisfranc injury in his foot but quickly hit the ground running upon his return, totaling a career-high 1,125 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his first year as a starter.

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That season, the Jaguars made it back to the playoffs for the first time in five years and staged a memorable comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, digging themselves out of a 27-0 hole.

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Following a 2023 campaign in which Etienne piled up 12 touchdowns, including 11 on the ground, he took a step back in 2024. That season, he actually finished with fewer carries than Tank Bigsby. It didn’t help that Etienne was averaging less than four yards a pop for the second season in a row.

But with Doug Pederson out and Liam Coen in as head coach, Etienne got another crack at leading the room, and he made the most of the opportunity.

Helping the Jags to a 13-4 record and another AFC South title, Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns, in addition to catching 36 passes for 292 yards and a career-high 6 touchdowns.

He’s always been a threat as a pass catcher. Etienne’s made at least 35 grabs in each of the four NFL seasons he’s been healthy for. On the ground, he’s eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times since joining the league.

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News of Etienne’s signing broke after it was reported that former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, is signing a three-year deal worth up to $45 million with the Kansas City Chiefs.