JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
KC from Orlando, FL
KOAF, it appears that Jaguars free agency is less glamorous in comparison to years past. Based on the proposed signings, they appear to be short-term deals to perhaps build through the draft and allow for cap flexibility for the future should somebody better show up. Would you agree?
The Jaguars on Monday reportedly agreed to terms with nine unrestricted free agents, agreements that are expected to become official at the start of the 2025 NFL League Year Wednesday at 4 p.m. The list – again – reportedly is as follows: Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey, Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari, Minnesota Vikings quarterback back Nick Mullens, Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt and Houston Texans safety Eric Murray. It's absolutely less glamorous and – as you appear to be noting – it is by design. The Jaguars under Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli have no intentions of being a free-agency based team. They have 21 selections in the next two drafts and plan to build the roster through that process. The idea of this free agency class was to improve the roster and fill gaping holes with starting-quality players. The next idea: Focus on the draft and start the long-term process late next month. None of this means the Jaguars don't expect to win next season. It does mean they're going to stay away from front-line free agency as much as possible.
Keith from Titusville, FL
With Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari now in the fold, does this mean the starting offensive line is now in place? Also, do you see a scenario the Jags still draft an offensive lineman (Will Campbell) at 5 and move Anton Harrison inside to guard?
With Hainsey and Mekari having been acquired as free agents, the Jaguars believe they now have five legitimate starting offensive linemen: Left tackle Walker Little, left guard Ezra Cleveland, Hainsey at center, Mekari at right guard and Harrison at right tackle. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Jaguars select an offensive lineman at No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. But I would be a little surprised if they move Harrison from right tackle. At the same time, no Jaguars offensive lineman has established himself enough to be a lock to start at any particular position.
Justin from NYC
My friends think I'm crazy, but I think the offensive line is the most important position group in the NFL, even more so than quarterback. With all these recent additions, how would you rank our offensive now versus last season? Even after those signings, I'd be thrilled if the Jags went offensive line at No. 5.
You're maybe a little crazy, but offensive line is really important – probably second only to quarterback. I don't know enough about the 31 other NFL offensive lines to know where the Jaguars rank. I do expect this to be a better run-blocking unit – and to be a more physical unit overall – next season.
Peter from Duplek, Slovenia
Given the backlash Coen got for agreeing to stay in Tampa Bay and later deciding to take the Jaguars job … all free-agent "deals" are not final. They're unsigned and can still lead to changes. If a team wanted a player and saw the unofficial deal he got, they could call the agent and say, "Hey, we can add some millions to that." It's within the rules, right?
Sure, this could happen. It has happened at times. It's rare and therefore unlikely.
Mike from Daytona Beach, FL
I have heard that "There's no crying in baseball." Is it the same in football?
Absolutely not. I cry quite a bit, actually.
Darwin from Cebu, Philippines
John, based on the numerous press conferences and interviews of Coen and how he plans to improve the running game, how does he feel about the Jags current running back room of Etienne and Bigsby? Will one of them be traded? Or does he plan to add another RB in free agency or the draft? What does your Scobee sense tell you?
Coen hasn't discussed Jaguars running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby all that much publicly since his January hiring. I get no sense the team is down on either player. I don't expect them to be traded before next season and I don't expect any more major spending on any position in free agency. I expect the running back position could be addressed somewhere in the 2025 NFL Draft depending on how the Jaguars feel about specific players in the draft.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Remember when wide receiver Calvin Ridley went to the hated division rivals Tennessee Titans last year and made the Jags pay in the two games he played against us for not re-signing him?
I do! I do remember that!
Leon from Austin, TX
Zone: I know you aren't able to report any updates until they are actually official, But how is it advantageous for the Jags to get Eric Murray over a younger Jevon Holland? Is it experience, contract complications, or short term fix until draft prospect develops? What am I missing?
To paraphrase the Jaguars from the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency isn't how they want to build the roster; it's how they want to raise the floor of the roster. Murray reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the Jaguars with $12 million guaranteed; Holland reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with the New York Giants with $30.3 million guaranteed. One's raising the floor. The other's building the roster.
Hilarious from Funnytown
It's like being a fan of a college team. So much turnover you're a fan of a city, or a mascot, or a color combo. Bring in Maurice Jones-Drew to call the games or give Jimmy Smith a job on the sidelines. We need some more Jaguars around here. (I jest, but whatever.)
I think. Maybe.
Don from Marshall NC
James Gladstone is one of those whiz kids isn't he? Go Jaguars!
When it comes to Gladstone being a "whiz kid" – and that indeed is the "word on the street" – Don remains "all in."
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Non-splashy "meh" players are people too.
And they're very often better investments and better players than splashy players.
Brad from Yankton, S.D.
I don't understand the details of contracts and cap space. It is hard to understand why they would cut Kirk and Engram instead of David & Armstead.
It's not all that hard. Releasing wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram saved the Jaguars money on the cap. Releasing wide receiver Gabe Davis and defensive tackle Arik Armstead would have added significant money to the salary cap compared to retaining them.
P Funk from Murray Hill
Did Tom Coughlin have the same roles and responsibilities as Tony as EVP?
No. Coughlin was the so-called "football czar" and oversaw the entire football operations, with General Manager David Caldwell and Head Coach Doug Marrone reporting to him. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, Gladstone and Coen all report to Owner Shad Khan.
Jim from the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp
Boom! To the unofficial free agent period, we just solved the angst with a new center, receiver and nickel/corner replacing the two biggest losses in retirement/releases. Now we can roll into the draft and grab the biggest and best offensive and defensive line players available, buckle up yea of little faith the ride is going to be FUN!
You go, girl.
Rusty from New Iberia, LA
I thought trading a player meant trading his contract as well. How do we still have dead money from Kirk?
A salary cap number is about two factors. Prorated bonus from when the contract was signed – and salary. You trade the salary. The bonus ramification still counts against your cap.
Not Vic from Mountaintop
If the released players were so good, why did we lose 13 games? We can lose 13 games without them. It's a young man's game and a game of replacement. As it relates to free agency, why would we want to overpay for players their current team doesn't want.
Good question.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
$58,827,466 in Dead Cap space. 21% of the Jags 2025 salary cap is spoken for by bad decisions/contracts. I sure hope the new regime does better moving forward.
All NFL teams have some dead money on the salary cap and dead money isn't always the result of awful decisions and contracts. Many teams structure contracts knowing there likely will be some dead money because it's relatively rare for players to play out their entire contracts. But that's admittedly nitpicking a bit. The Jaguars indeed have too much dead money and they need to improve in this area moving forward.
