Running back Travis Etienne Jr. has been one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most dynamic offensive weapons since entering the NFL in 2022, having missed his rookie year in 2021 due to injury. Known for his speed, versatility as a receiver out of the backfield, and playmaking ability, Etienne has carved out a prominent role in the Jaguars’ offense.
As the 2025 season wraps up and the 2026 offseason approaches, many fans and analysts are asking key questions about his contract status, earnings, and future free agency prospects.
Travis Etienne signed his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 19, 2021, after being selected 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. That deal was a four-year contract worth $12,898,105, with an average annual salary of approximately $3.2 million and a signing bonus of around $6.74 million, all of which was guaranteed at the time of signing.
In April 2024, the Jaguars also exercised Etienne’s fifth-year option, which extended his contract through the 2025 season with a salary of approximately $6.14 million for that year.
This structure means that through 2025, Etienne’s earnings have come primarily from:
Etienne’s contract situation is a key storyline entering the 2026 NFL offseason. Because his rookie contract and fifth-year option cover him only through the 2025 season, he can hit free agency in March 2026 unless the Jaguars agree to a long-term extension before then.
Here’s how the timeline works:
Travis Etienne Jr.’s contract journey reflects a standard but valuable arc for a top running back: a modest rookie deal with solid guarantees, a fifth-year option that keeps him under team control through 2025, and the prospect of meaningful free agency in 2026.
With roughly $19 million+ in career earnings to date and a chance to earn much more depending on his next contract, Etienne’s financial future and where he will play are among the most intriguing storylines entering the 2026 offseason.