ESPN writer adds more pressure on the shoulders of key New Orleans Saints starter, and it will be felt immediately in Week 1
Travis Etienne Jr. is set to lead the running game for the New Orleans Saints when the regular season begins next weekend. ESPN analyst Ben Solak sees him being the X-factor to their success.
Travis Etienne Jr. is set to lead the running game for the New Orleans Saints when the regular season begins next weekend. It can’t be understated how important he is for the Saints to be successful this year.
ESPN’s Ben Solak named Etienne as New Orleans’ X-factor for the upcoming season. Solak proclaimed if the Saints can’t run the ball more effectively with Etienne spearheading the ground game, they will struggle as a whole once again.
Etienne was largely an average back in Jacksonville. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 3.9 yards per carry (RBs average 4.5) with a 36% success rate (RBs average 40.4%). He has endured scheme changes, terrible offensive lines and fended off committee backfields. He also has value as a receiver. But the Saints need him to be a quality veteran back behind what they expect to be an ascending young line as they build a good offensive nucleus for Shough to develop. If the running game repeats its 2025 woes, the Saints will be one-dimensional and accordingly unable to take a leap.
ben Solak
ESPN national NFL analyst
Etienne was the club’s second-largest free agent signing of the offseason. The former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars already had high expectations placed on him when he inked his four-year, $48 million deal in March.
Pressure on Travis Etienne Jr. is starting off strong
The Saints have high hopes for their offense progressing in quarterback Tyler Shough’s second season. The issue is they’ll be down a few names when the games begin.
Alvin Kamara is still out with a knee injury. Devin Neal was waived after suffering a season ending in injury. RB depth is not in a great place, and even at wide receiver, rookie Jordyn Tyson will miss the opening quarter of the year with a hamstring injury of his own.
Enter Etienne, who averaged 274 touches during his first four seasons in Jacksonville. He better be ready for a higher usage level to start the year out as New Orleans works below full strength.
Week 1 is a huge opportunity
The good news for Etienne and the Saints is their first test is prime for acing.
New Orleans will go on the road to face the Detroit Lions in the season-opener. Detroit ranked No. 23 last year in EPA per rush allowed last season, and was No. 16 in rushing success rate allowed.
Etienne should be capable of running against the Lions behind a revamped offensive line that survived training camp and the preseason.
It will be a few weeks before the Saints’ offense has the personnel they envision for the whole season. Etienne will be counted on to carry the load, and in essence, elevate the entire team.
