Signing with the New Orleans Saints is more than just a homecoming for Travis Etienne -- it's a fitting opportunity to right a wrong that's followed him ever since leaving Jennings, Louisiana, for college.
Etienne began his introductory news conference on Friday by declaring he'd like to go by the correct pronunciation of his last name.
"Etienne, like A-C-H-A-N-E," he said. "That's how you've always said Travis Etienne."
Joining Friday's edition of The Insiders, the veteran running back was encouraged by NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo to introduce himself with the correct pronunciation, something he feels will be easier to adopt in the Big Easy.
Signing a to play for the Saints wasn't bad, either.
"It was more than a cherry on top, man; it was the cake, the cherry -- It was everything, you know?" Etienne said of his homecoming. "Just having an opportunity to be able to play for the Saints, you know, just growing up, in Louisiana, been a Saints fan my whole life, you know? And being able to be blessed with this opportunity, man, It's like, I feel like it was more than a cherry on top -- it was everything."
Etienne, a first-round pick in 2021, spent his first five seasons in Jacksonville -- though a foot injury wiped out the entirety of his rookie year. He generated three 1,000-plus rushing yard seasons and accumulated 32 total touchdowns. He comes off a 2025 campaign in which he set a career-high in TDs scored (13) and was featured on a Jaguars squad that won the AFC South.
The Saints hope the dynamic RB can help boost the offense and aid second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. It might be a big adjustment for Etienne, who spent most of his playing career with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville and at Clemson.
"I feel like Tyler (Shough), he's a really good guy, you know?" Etienne said. "I feel like I'm excited to see his growth. I feel like he's hungry, and that's what you ask for a quarterback, and I feel like, he's definitely gonna accelerated his process. I'm just excited to watch him work and get to learn him, and just be able to understand, get a feel for him, you know, because it's a difference of, whenever you're with a guy for eight years, you kind of just know inside and out. So, getting to know a quarterback again, I feel like it's different, but Tyler is gonna make it an easier process, and I feel like I'm happy he's my quarterback."
Shough showed out in his debut campaign, earning the starting job midway through and propelling himself into a Rookie of the Year candidate by season's end. The second-round pick's play as both a passer and runner showcased head coach Kellen Moore's offense, as the Saints turned in a winning record (5-4) in games played with the rookie at the helm.
Moore's offensive expertise was another major influence for Etienne, who acknowledged the coach's "great blueprint" which recently helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX.
"I feel like coach sees things in me," Etienne said of Moore. "I'm gonna go out there and make things happen for him and I feel like he has a great plan."
Etienne's signing might be the beginning of a new era in New Orleans with Alvin Kamara's future being an unknown at the moment.
Following up the Saints' all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns doesn't seem too big a task for Etienne, however. After all, the 27-year-old has been looking up at Saints great ever since he picked up a football.
"My most vivid memories just come from Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, that running back duo," he said of his Saints fandom as a kid. "And I feel like that's kind of what's driven me and my brother to pursue running backs, you know? And just for us to have this full circle moment, me be able to come here and be able to chase that -- go chase their stats after all these years, and I'm forever grateful."
