OTAs should offer first look at Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr.

By Ross Jackson

Even though Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are voluntary, participation in offseason workouts hints that the New Orleans Saints should have quite a few veteran players present, at least for a portion of the phase three practices. 

Over the next month, the Saints will host their OTA practices and mandatory minicamp before taking an offseason break ahead of training camp. One of the players that will finally be seen for the first time as a Saint is dynamic running back Travis Etienne Jr. 

The run game is hard to evaluate in non-contact environments, but seeing him move, attack gaps, read blocks, catch and cut will all shed light on the playmaking ability New Orleans did not hesitate to invest in this offseason. 

The Saints signed Etienne to a four-year deal worth $12 million per season. They did so as the running back was coming off of his third 1,000-rushing yard season in four years. That’s a feat the Saints haven’t seen reached by a running back since Mark Ingram in 2017 (1,124). 

Bringing that production to New Orleans for the first time in nearly a decade, although incumbent back Alvin Kamara was close in 2024 with 950 rushing yards, has generated a lot of excitement. Etienne brings a lot of potential to the Saints’ backfield while adding another receiving threat at the position, as well. 

With so much uncertainty still looming over Kamara’s future, Etienne may end up being the focus of the offseason. Establishing early confidence in that adjustment is a must for New Orleans. 

It all begins with Etienne’s first exposure on the field, whether during OTAs or mandatory minicamp. 

Most interesting will be a first-look at how well he moves and commands the position. As a home run hitter and playmaker, his immediate impact on the offense should stand out quickly.