The Jacksonville Jaguars today designated TE Pete Mitchell a

transition player prior to the NFL's free agency period that begins at

midnight tonight.

As a transition player, Mitchell has received a tender offer equal to

the average of the top 10 salaries of tight ends in the NFL last

season. The transition designation gives the Jaguars the right of first

refusal to match within seven days any offer sheet that might be

given to Mitchell by any other club. If the Jaguars match an offer,

they would retain Mitchell; if they did not match an offer, they

would receive no compensation, but they would likely be eligible to

receive a compensatory pick in the 2000 draft.

Last season, Mitchell started all 16 games and caught 38 passes for

363 yards and two touchdowns, finishing fourth on the team in

receptions. In four seasons with the Jaguars, Mitchell has caught

166 passes for 1,845 yards and nine touchdowns. He is one of four

players to have played in every Jaguars game over four years, and

he has at least one reception in 60 of those 64 games.

# # #

# # #