Head coach Liam Coen has already made one noticeable change to help Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back Travis Etienne bounce back this upcoming season.
As Etienne described during Jaguars‘ minicamp, Coen has prioritized getting him out in space.
“He’s been getting me a lot in space,” Etienne said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “I love me one-on-one with anybody and just being able to make that first man miss and being able to get the extra yards. I feel like Liam has a great knack for getting the players the ball. It’s more so players than plays with Liam and he has a great feel for the game.”
Out in space is where Etienne is at his best. However, as DiRocco also noted, Etienne’s usage in that regard has dwindled over the last two seasons.
In 2022, 25.4% of Etienne’s rush attempts came outside the tackles, and he averaged 8.3 yards per rush, according to DiRocco and ESPN. But in 2023, only 23.2% of his carries were outside the tackles, and then just 21.3% last season.
Etienne’s rushing efficiency overall has dipped in the previous two seasons, and his overall production declined in a big way in 2024, with him totaling just 558 rushing yards with fewer opportunities.
Fewer carries outside the tackle box isn’t the sole reason for Etienne’s recent production, but that hasn’t helped things either. In order to get the most out of players, coaches have to regularly put them in situations to maximize their skill sets.
Coen very much seems to be doing that with Etienne. And it’s not only in getting him on the edge as a ball carrier, but in this new-look offense, where the running backs will have to contribute to the passing game, Coen is finding other ways to get Etienne the ball.
“Every day, everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done at a good click for us,” said Coen.” The ability in the screen game, to hand him jet sweeps, his vision so far in the run game has been good. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and more. There’s been a consistency.”
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: How Liam Coen is utilizing Jaguars RB Travis Etienne differently