The Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield struggled last season. They have not made any key changes this offseason, but could still add a dynamic player through trade.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Liam Coen could be targeting Ashton Jeanty. Coen is an offensive-minded coach and could want Jeanty as his feature back after a stellar season at Boise State. FanSided’s John Buhler suggested that the Chiefs should try and trade for Travis Etienne if the Jaguars actually select Jeanty.
“If that is the case, then the Chiefs should try to trade for Travis Etienne immediately,” Buhler wrote of the Jaguars drafting Jeanty. “Jacksonville does not need to acquire more picks, but could move on from Trevor Lawrence’s guy.”
Lawrence and Etienne were teammates in college. Etienne missed his entire rookie season, but had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons when he finally took the field. He eclipsed 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2022 and 2023, but last season, his usage declined. Tank Bigsny ate into his workload, and Etienne could be a trade chip if the Jaguars draft a player like Jeanty.
Etienne is playing 2025 on his fifth-year option and is projected to earn a four-year, $32 million deal in free agency. He could be a great addition to the Chiefs’ backfield. Last season, Isiah Pacheco suffered an injury that kept him out for most of the year. That forced the Chiefs to bring in Kareem Hunt, who ended up leading the team in rushing. Hunt was re-signed, and the Chiefs are hoping a full offseason of recovery could get Pacheco back in form.
Etienne could be a better complement to Pacheco than Hunt. Having Etienne would give the Chiefs an explosive player out of the backfield they could rely on should Hunt and Pacheco struggle in 2025. He would not be an expensive addition in terms of draft capital either.