Saints Sign Ex-Clemson Star Etienne to Lucrative Deal

PFF highlights Etienne as a 'boom-or-bust' signing for New Orleans

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:06am

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The New Orleans Saints have signed former Clemson running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $47 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. PFF has highlighted Etienne as a 'boom-or-bust' signing, noting that while he has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, he is not considered an elite running back by most evaluators and the Saints had the second-lowest run-blocking grade in the NFL last season.

Why it matters

The Saints are betting big on Etienne to elevate their running game, which ranked near the bottom of the league in 2025. Etienne's performance will be crucial to the team's offensive success, but there are questions about whether he can truly be an elite back given his past production and the Saints' offensive line struggles.

The details

Etienne, a former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also catching 36 passes for 292 yards and 6 scores. PFF noted that among 72 running backs with at least 100 carries over the past two years, Etienne's 72.3 rushing grade ranks 58th, and he has forced just 63 missed tackles in that span after forcing 64 in each of his first two NFL seasons.

  • Etienne's four-year, $47 million contract with the Saints was signed in March 2026.
  • Etienne is coming off a 2025 season in which he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in his four active NFL seasons.

The players

Travis Etienne

A former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne is a running back who has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his NFL career so far.

Kellen Moore

The second-year head coach of the New Orleans Saints, who is high on Etienne and excited about acquiring him.

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What they’re saying

“Huge fan of this guy going back to Clemson. Following his career in Jacksonville – his vision, his speed, obviously, to make some home run plays, and then his ability to make plays. Fired up to have him.”

— Kellen Moore, Head Coach, New Orleans Saints

What’s next

The Saints will be counting on Etienne to elevate their running game and become an elite back in the NFL. His performance in the 2026 season will be closely watched to see if the team's investment in him pays off.

The takeaway

The Saints are taking a risk by making Etienne one of the highest-paid running backs in the league, as he has not yet proven to be an elite back despite his past production. The team's success in 2026 and beyond will hinge on whether Etienne can live up to the lofty expectations and help fix their struggling run game.