Saints Commit $113M to Travis Etienne Jr. and Guard David Edwards

Travis Etienne Jr. joins the New Orleans Saints on a four-year, $52 million contract after rushing for 3,798 yards during his tenure with the Jaguars.

The New Orleans Saints have fortified their roster with a $113 million investment, securing former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. on a four-year, $52 million contract and former Buffalo Bills guard David Edwards on a four-year, $61 million deal. Etienne, a 27-year-old Louisiana native, returns to his home state following a productive stint in Jacksonville where he climbed to third place on the Jaguars' all-time rushing leaderboard with 3,798 career yards. During the previous season, the 2021 first-round pick (25th overall) surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the third time in five years, finishing with 1,107 yards on the ground. He also established a career-high 13 total touchdowns, including six receiving scores, a significant jump from his previous four seasons where he recorded only one receiving touchdown total.

Etienne’s Path to New Orleans

Travis Etienne Jr. entered the 2024 season as the clear No. 1 back for Jacksonville after a competitive training camp where he shared first-team repetitions with Tank Bigsby. In the Sept. 7 season opener, Etienne dominated the backfield with 16 carries for 143 yards, highlighted by a 71-yard run, and added three receptions for 13 yards. This performance helped secure a 26-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Conversely, Bigsby managed only five carries for 12 yards in that contest and was subsequently traded to Philadelphia for fifth- and sixth-round draft picks in 2026. Despite a dip in 2024 production—where he recorded 558 rushing yards and two touchdowns alongside 39 catches for 254 yards—Etienne finished his Jaguars tenure with 5,136 total yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns.

Before his recent output, Etienne missed his entire rookie campaign due to a Lisfranc injury. He rebounded in the 2022-23 period by rushing for 2,133 yards and 16 touchdowns while catching 93 passes for 792 yards. Running backs coach Chad Morton noted that Etienne arrived at spring practices in excellent physical condition, showing a quick mastery of the offensive system implemented by new head coach Liam Coen. This dedication helped solidify his role before the trade to the Saints, fulfilling his desire to play closer to his family in Louisiana.

David Edwards Bolsters Offensive Line

Joining the Saints alongside Etienne is offensive lineman David Edwards, who will turn 29 on March 20. Edwards arrives in New Orleans after spending the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he displayed significant durability by not missing a single game due to injury. During his first year in Buffalo, he served primarily as a jumbo tight end, acting as the sixth offensive lineman in heavy sets. He transitioned into the starting left guard role for the subsequent two seasons, providing stability to the Bills' interior protection.

Prior to his time in Buffalo, Edwards was a fifth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 out of the University of Wisconsin. His early professional career involved versatility on the line; he primarily played right guard during his debut season before switching to the left side. He remained the starting left guard for the Rams throughout the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However, his 2022 campaign was limited to just four games after he sustained multiple concussions, leading to his eventual move to the Bills.

Strategic Implications for the Saints

The acquisition of both Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards represents a major financial commitment to the Saints' ground game and pass protection. By spending $61 million on Edwards, the team secures a veteran with experience at both guard positions who has successfully navigated the transition from a specialized sixth-man role to a full-time starter. This move addresses the interior line needs while the $52 million deal for Etienne provides a proven playmaker who averages over 1,200 yards from scrimmage per active season.

Etienne’s ability to contribute in the passing game, evidenced by his 792 receiving yards between 2022 and 2023, offers the Saints a multi-dimensional threat. His 13 touchdowns last season demonstrate a refined red-zone efficiency that the team hopes will translate to their new offensive scheme. With Edwards providing the blocking and Etienne handling the carries, the Saints have effectively rebuilt the left side of their offensive identity through these two high-value signings reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.