The Cleveland Browns weren’t supposed to be combing the NFL for a running back in late August, but that’s the case in which the franchise finds itself less than three weeks prior to the start of the regular season.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Thursday, August 21, that Cleveland is one of three teams actively hunting for an addition to the offensive backfield via the trade market.
“Sources: Teams making calls in search of running back additions include the Saints, Browns and Chiefs,” Russini wrote.
There are a couple of obvious options from whom the Browns can choose, though the most talented is certainly Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cleveland recently conducted a major piece of business with Jacksonville, swapping the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft for the Jaguars’ No. 5 selection and their first-rounder in 2026.
Travis Etienne Jr. Perfect Fit as Browns Trade Target
GettyJacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.
Etienne is a former first-round pick (No. 25 overall in the 2021 draft) and entering the $6 million fifth-year club option on his original $13 million rookie deal.
After missing his entire rookie campaign with injury, Etienne produced consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2022 and 2023. His usage dipped significantly last season, as he carried the football just 150 times in 15 games as opposed to 267 attempts across 17 contests the year before.
The reason for that was second-year back Tank Bigsby, who still has two inexpensive years remaining on his rookie contract. Meanwhile, Etienne will be an unrestricted free agent next spring and looking for a new deal/raise.
Jacksonville just invested heavily in a relatively unproven quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, paying him like one of the best in the league despite the fact he’s never actually performed to that level. Doing so is going to require belt tightening at other positions, and the Jaguars sent a fairly clear message when dialing Etienne’s usage back so significantly in favor of the younger, cheaper Bigsby.
It makes sense for Jacksonville to try and get a mid-round pick from a team like the Browns, who may need Etienne this season but shouldn’t need to pay him longterm based on the position they’re in at running back.
Quinshon Judkins’ Deal With Browns Remains Uncertain
GettyCleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins.
Cleveland let Nick Chubb walk to the Houston Texans in free agency after spending a second-round pick on Quinshon Judkins and a fourth-round selection on Dylan Sampson. Running back Jerome Ford remains on the roster in the final year of his rookie contract, which should have been plenty.
However, Judkins and the Browns have yet to agree to a deal after he became embroiled in off-field legal issues involving misdemeanor domestic violence allegations that could lead to a suspension from the league.
“Though Cleveland second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges, he and the Browns still have been unable to reach a deal and may not until the end of any NFL investigation,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on August 18.
It appears as though Cleveland and Judkins should be able to work out a rookie contract eventually, based on the circumstances, so Etienne could make sense as a one-year stopgap solution and then the two sides could move on. However, if he has a resurgent year, perhaps the Browns could ink him to a team-friendly contract and keep him alongside Judkins for the mid-term future.
Etienne is a true dual-threat back who has amassed 2,691 rushing yards and 18 TDs on 4.2 yards per carry along with 132 receptions for 1,046 yards and one score across 49 career games. He will play the 2025 season at 26 years old.
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