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Jaguars' price for success: Likely losing Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd
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- Jaguars' price for success: Likely losing Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd
Sometimes, a player knows what his future holds. Check that, a player always knows. Knows, two months ahead of free agency, if they will stay or go.
The vibe from Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd in the locker room on Monday, Jan. 12, was clear: They understand their time here is likely over because of strong 2025 seasons.
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Good for Etienne and Lloyd, who will be well-compensated.
Bad for the Jaguars , who will need to replace two core players.
Welcome to the price of success, Jaguars fans. Other teams will want your players.
Etienne and Lloyd had starkly different tones as they met with reporters.
Etienne laughed and joked as he reminisced about his five Jaguars seasons. Lloyd was somber and wanted no part in projecting the future.
The figurative writing was on the wall for Etienne and Lloyd in the last month when the Jaguars extended receiver Jakobi Meyers and left tackle Cole Van Lanen to ensure they wouldn't hit the market.
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Did the Jaguars choose Meyers/Van Lanen over Etienne/Lloyd? Ultimately, yes, and really, No. 1 receiver and left tackle should rank higher in the team-building priority list than running back/linebacker.
Lloyd and Etienne have listed career earnings of $12,946,686 and $19,050,871, respectively, according to the industry website Spotrac. This is their chance at multi-generational wealth. Their only chance.
Etienne 'proud' of five years
Etienne turns 27 on Jan. 26, rushed for a career-high 1,107 yards and led the Jaguars with six regular-season touchdown catches (one more in the playoffs). He picked the right time to have a great season and showed the ability to play in all situations and line up all over the formation.
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"I hope he's back; he's one of my guys," said quarterback Trevor Lawrence , Etienne's teammate for the last eight years with Clemson and the Jaguars. "He's earned every opportunity. I hope he's here, but I understand this business is funny sometimes."
MORE FROM O'HALLORAN: Trevor Lawrence average when average wasn't enough in loss to Bills
The depth of the running back class in free agency could give the Jaguars a puncher's chance at keeping Etienne, but he shouldn't take a discount. Running back is pro football's most physical position with oftentimes a limited shelf-life.
Etienne is one of six free-agent running backs who played at least 50% of their team's offensive snaps: Dallas ' Javonte Williams (64.8%), the New York Jets ' Breece Hall (61.1%), Etienne (60.1%), Carolina's Rico Dowdle (55.7%), Tampa Bay's Rachaad White (58.6%) and Pittsburgh 's Kenneth Gainwell (50.1%). Williams, Etienne, Dowdle and Hall all eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing.
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Etienne's camp should look at two contracts forged before the regular season. The Buffalo Bills' James Cook signed a three-year, $46 million extension ($26 million-plus guaranteed) and the Los Angeles Rams signed Kyren Williams to a three-year, $33 million extension ($15 million-plus guaranteed).
What we can't project is how Jaguars general manager James Gladstone views the position. Disposable labor (draft a back, run their tires off, thank them for their service and draft another one) or a critical position?
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) celebrates a fumble recovery with cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. in April 2025 and both showed moments of promise as rookies. Make Tuten the No. 1, Allen the No. 2/third-down back/kick returner and draft a No. 3 back? I view that as the most likely course.
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It might have been inadvertent, but Etienne sure sounded like a soon-to-be ex-Jaguar.
"What we did in (these) five years can't be taken away," he said. "Just for the guys who will be here in the future, they have something to follow now. I'm proud of that."
Etienne should be proud.
Lloyd not looking ahead
Lloyd's demeanor was far different, as if it was fait accompli he will be wearing No. 0 for another team in 2026. He was polite, but still jarred from losing to the Bills 20 hours earlier.
"These are all questions … I'm still trying to process everything that happened with this team," he said. "I wasn't expecting us to be done playing (after the first round)."
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And …
"I haven't put any thought to it," he said. "Everything has been about trying to be the best player I could be for this team this year."
It is remarkable to think back to August and I was being asked if Lloyd was even going to make the team if the Jaguars committed to Ventrell Miller playing alongside Foye Oluokun .
Lloyd split time with Miller in Week 1 against Carolina (22 and 16 snaps, respectively), but Lloyd quickly put a vice-grip on the spot, playing 706 snaps in 15 games compared to 220 for Miller in 17 games.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes for yards during the first quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Lloyd's five interceptions, including his memorable 99-yard touchdown return in the Week 5 win over Kansas City, tied for second in the NFL and he was named second-team All Pro on Jan. 10.
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Lloyd turns 28 on Sept. 30 and working in his favor is among the 18 impending free-agent linebackers who played at least 50% of the snaps this season, only one (Green Bay's Quay Walker ) is under age 28.
The comparable players to Lloyd who recently signed new deals are Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (three years, $45 million) and Houston 's Azeez Al-Shaair (three years, $34 million). Spotrac projects Lloyd's next contract at $60.4 million over three years. In that case, no way Lloyd is back with the Jaguars.
I give the Jaguars a better chance at keeping Etienne than Lloyd, but don't expect either to return.
Gladstone and coach Liam Coen should hope these kind of discussions become the Jaguars' New Normal. Player A had a great season (or multiple seasons) and priced himself out of the team's plans. It is the only drawback of team success.
Contact O'Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars free agents: Will Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd re-sign or leave?
