In a league where bold moves define dynasties, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is about to drop a bombshell that could reshape the NFC landscape. As the 2026 NFL free agency frenzy looms just months away—kicking off on March 11 at 4 p.m. EST—the Cowboys are poised to bid farewell to Javonte Williams and crown a new RB1 who’s already proven himself as a gridiron terror. Enter Travis Etienne, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ explosive running back, who’s set to hit the open market and could transform Dallas’ backfield into an unstoppable force.
Forget the stopgap solutions and underwhelming backups. If Williams walks—and all signs point to him testing the waters after a resurgent 2025 season—the Cowboys’ running game is in desperate need of a star. With only lightly used reserves like Jaydon Blue, Israel Abanikanda, and Phil Mafah under contract for 2026, Jones isn’t messing around. He’s eyeing Etienne, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher whose blend of speed, power, and receiving prowess makes him a nightmare for defenses. As Alex Kay of Bleacher Report aptly put it on January 13, “Etienne would be a sensible choice for a Cowboys team that should be feeling desperate for some backfield stability.”
Drafted 25th overall by the Jaguars in 2021, Etienne turns 27 at the end of January and is entering his prime with a resume that screams “franchise back.” His rookie year in 2022? A jaw-dropping 1,125 yards and five touchdowns on just 220 carries. He followed that up in 2023 with 1,008 yards and 11 scores on 267 totes, establishing himself as Jacksonville’s offensive engine. Sure, 2024 was a dip—558 yards and two TDs in 15 games amid nagging lower-body injuries—but Etienne bounced back ferociously in 2025, piling up 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries. That’s three 1,000-yard seasons in four years, folks. This guy’s not just consistent; he’s terrifying.
And don’t sleep on his hands. Etienne isn’t your average ground-and-pound runner—he’s a dual-threat weapon that fits perfectly into head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s scheme. In 2022, he snagged 35 passes for 316 yards. He exploded in 2023 with a career-high 58 receptions for 476 yards and a touchdown. Even in his “down” 2024, he hauled in 39 for 254 yards, before rebounding with 36 catches for 292 yards and six scores in 2025. Imagine pairing that versatility with Dak Prescott’s arm and the Cowboys’ receiving corps. Pressure off the QB? Check. Explosive plays? Double check. As Kay noted, “Upgrading to a more talented, versatile back like Etienne could elevate Dallas to the very top of the league in rushing.”
Dallas already cracked the top-10 in rushing offense in 2025, coaxing a career year out of Williams despite his previous struggles in Denver (where he averaged a measly 3.6 yards per carry in his final two seasons). But Etienne? He’s the upgrade that turns good into elite. The Cowboys haven’t had the same Week 1 starter at RB in consecutive years since Ezekiel Elliott’s first departure in 2022. Etienne could end that carousel, locking down the RB1 spot for years and providing the stability Jones craves.
Of course, monster moves come with monster contracts. Spotrac projects Etienne at around $7 million per year, but insiders whisper it could climb to $7-9 million annually—still a bargain for a player of his caliber. The Cowboys are currently $39 million over the cap, but Jones is no stranger to cap gymnastics. Expect some strategic cuts to free up space, because this is the kind of splash that screams “Super Bowl or bust.”
Kay sums it up best: “The team hasn’t fielded the same Week 1 starter in consecutive years since Ezekiel Elliott departed for the first time in 2022, but Etienne could fill that void and hold down Dallas’ RB1 job for the next few years.” In Schottenheimer’s system, which has thrived without massive investments in RBs, Etienne’s arrival could be the catalyst that propels the Cowboys back to NFC dominance.
The Williams era in Dallas? It’s over if he bolts, and good riddance if it means ushering in Etienne’s reign. With his proven track record, receiving chops, and hunger to lead a contender, Etienne isn’t just a replacement—he’s a revolution. The rest of the NFC? Consider yourselves on notice. Jerry Jones is unleashing his latest monster, and this 3x 1,000-yard king is about to make Sundays terrifying for everyone not wearing a star on their helmet.
As free agency approaches, all eyes are on Dallas. Will Etienne don the silver and blue? If he does, the Cowboys’ backfield won’t just be stable—it’ll be savage. Stay tuned, NFL world; the storm is coming.
