NFL Insider: Tank Bigsby to Be Jags RB1 in 2026 amid Travis Etienne Jr. Contract Buzz

Tank Bigsby is "set to take over" as the Jacksonville Jaguars' RB1 in 2026, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco.

The report comes as Travis Etienne Jr. prepares to play the 2025 season on an expiring contract thanks to his $6.1 million club option with the Jags.

After leading the Jaguars in rushing yards during his first two NFL seasons, Etienne started all 15 games he played in 2024 but saw his usage decrease. It was Bigsby who led the Jags with 766 rushing yards in a breakout sophomore NFL season.

DiRocco expects Etienne and Bigsby to continue both getting carries next season before Bigsby, who is signed through 2026, sees his workload spike in his fourth NFL campaign.

Bigsby could be called to step up as Jacksonville's RB1 even earlier if the Jaguars decide to find a trade partner for Etienne rather than potentially losing him for nothing next offseason.

Either way, the Jags will be looking to add some running back depth given the potential departure of Etienne, which is why DiRocco named running back as a "position to watch in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft."

Whoever the Jaguars target there could compete for playing time with Keilan Robinson, a 2024 fifth-rounder who served as a return specialist during his rookie season.

The Jaguars' backfield will head into the 2025 season under the leadership of newly-hired offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. Udinski, who is looking to help Trevor Lawrence bounce back from his struggles in 2024, has said his goal is for the Jaguars run a "complete offense" by improving both the pass and run games next season. That will likely involve finding the right balance between Etienne and Bigsby this spring.