JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Travis Etienne Jr. era in North Florida appears to be over. As the 27-year-old running back prepares to test the free-agent waters starting March 9, the Jacksonville Jaguars are already drawing up contingencies. Head coach Liam Coen needs a versatile weapon to pair with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten, and two names sit squarely at the top of the whiteboard: Rachaad White and Kenneth Gainwell.
Jacksonville isn’t looking for a traditional workhorse. They want a dual-threat playmaker who can catch passes out of the backfield and keep defenses guessing. Both White and Gainwell fit the exact profile Coen utilized during his time in Tampa Bay and installed in Jacksonville last season.
The Liam Coen Connection: Rachaad White
If familiarity breeds success, Rachaad White holds the inside track. The 27-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, breaking out in 2023 under Coen’s direct supervision as offensive coordinator. That year, White demolished defenses for 990 rushing yards and 549 receiving yards, scoring nine total touchdowns and finishing as the RB4 in PPR leagues.
White’s production dipped slightly over the last two years as Bucky Irving seized a larger share of the Buccaneers’ workload. However, evaluators know exactly what White brings to a shared backfield. He runs with patience, catches the ball naturally, and instantly knows Coen’s complex offensive scheme. Pairing him as the 1A to Tuten’s 1B gives Jacksonville a dangerous, plug-and-play committee.
The Breakout Steeler: Kenneth Gainwell
If the Jaguars pivot away from White, Kenneth Gainwell offers massive upside. After leaving Philadelphia for a one-year prove-it deal in Pittsburgh, Gainwell exploded in 2025. He split touches with Jaylen Warren but still manufactured 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns.
Gainwell finished as the RB16 in PPR leagues during his lone season as a Steeler. He proved he can thrive in a two-back system, maximizing his limited touches to rip off explosive plays. At 27, he hits free agency with fresh legs and a proven track record of elite receiving out of the backfield. You could practically feel the defensive coordinators sweating in the AFC North last season every time Gainwell motioned into the slot.
“The amount of time that we have with the players on the grass and in the meeting rooms needs to be super-detailed and efficient. We evaluate every area. You pull the things you did above average, and then ask, ‘Where do we need to focus on improvement?'”
— Liam Coen, Jaguars Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Losing a player like Etienne who just posted his third 1,000-yard rushing season in four years—leaves a massive void. But paying north of $8 million annually for a running back rarely aligns with smart salary cap management, especially with massive extensions looming on the horizon. Drafting Tuten in the fourth round of the 2025 draft gave Jacksonville financial flexibility.
Signing either White or Gainwell allows the Jaguars to replicate Etienne’s production at a fraction of the cost. The AFC South is an offensive arms race. To defend their division crown, the Jaguars must maintain a relentless, unpredictable rushing attack. Expect general manager Trent Baalke to move aggressively on White or Gainwell the second the legal tampering period opens on Monday.
