One of the most lucrative moves the New Orleans Saints made this past offseason was the signing of running back Travis Etienne. For the first time this Sunday, he'll get a chance to show that the $52 million they spent was worth it.
Etienne's first snap as a Saints won't be a soft landing, and playing the playoff-caliber Lions on their home turf to start the season is more like being thrown into the deep end of a pool. Nonetheless, the first chapter of his new book begins tomorrow, and after a long offseason of anticipation, fans will finally get to see if the new half back in town can sink or swim.
Last season, Detroit's run defense was quite literally in the middle of the pack, ranking 14th in the NFL in terms of yards per game with 114.5. However, that number might not hold, given their free agent moves and the fact that the Lions' defensive line has only gotten healthier since 2025. The "middle of the pack" run defense could potentially be a force to be reckoned with.
Travis Etienne Jr. must break his rough streak vs Detroit Lions
Detroit isn't uncharted territory for Travis Etienne. He's played them twice before, averging 3.2 yards a carry across both games. A small sample size, sure, but nonetheless this Sunday Etienne will show whether that's a pattern or just a coincidence.
Luckily for him, Kellen Moore has a long history with running backs. Just look at Saquon Barkley's 2024 season or Ezekial Elliot's 2018/2019 season if you want an example. His outside zone running scheme has worked nicely in the NFL so far, and there's no reason to think that Etienne won't benefit from it like others of seasons past.
But what could a good debut for Etienne even look like? Averaging more than three yards a carry would be a good start, and scoring a touchdown or two would make it even better. If the box score is fun to look at, then that would honestly be the first real return on the $52 million investment.
After months of hype and anticipation, Sunday will finally provide a clear answer for the Saints and their fans. Etienne's 2026 performance has been all speculation up to this point, and the uncertainty of what could happen is what makes this game worth watching. Again, Sunday is just the first chapter in his new book, and if this offseason's hype holds, it could be the start of the season the Who Dat Nation has been waiting for.
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