JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Greg from Jacksonville Beach, FL

Zone, I get that the Jaguars were busy Monday. I don't know … I'm just not feeling it. Meh. What say you?

I say the Jaguars indeed were busy on Monday on the first day of the NFL's "tampering" period, reportedly agreeing to terms with nine unrestricted free agents The list 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 understandable that people might feel "meh" about this bunch because it's not a front-line, "splashy" group. I expect we'll get into details on most/all these players in future questions in this O-Zone and in the O-Zones to come in the next few days. But here's the overview: The Jaguars felt they had a very successful day Monday. They essentially acquired all – or very close to all – players they coveted, and they believe they are a much better team now than they were this past weekend. They didn't plan to "splash" in this free-agency period. The plan was to acquire multiple starters and upgrade the starting lineup overall. They believe they did that on what indeed was a busy – and productive – Monday. Remember: "Meh" in free agency is just fine and splash is too often fool's gold. Enjoy the meh. It bodes well.

Micah from Chicago, IL

Wow, I'm sad some free agents I wanted signed elsewhere. But now I'm remembering my excitement when we signed wide receiver Gabe Davis and defensive lineman Arik Armstead last year, and their tremendous contributions on-field for the Jags. Hmmm. Maybe I'll just chill this year.

I expect many Jaguars fans were disappointed with a name or two that went elsewhere to another team or two Monday. The Jaguars by design stayed away from "exciting names" Monday. That's a good thing. Free-agency splash usually means paying way too much. I expect people will tire of reading that here in the coming days. Oh well.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

Finding roster depth through free agency and actually building your team through the draft? Could it be we found a front office that actually understands how to have a sustainable winning franchise?

That's certainly the hope.

Fred from Naples, FL

We made Jourdan Lewis the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL. Does this mean our new regime likes Jarrian Jones so much they are going to move him to outside corner?

I expect Jarrian Jones will have a chance to be a starter at outside corner in his second NFL season next season. I don't know if that's anything close to guaranteed.

Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld

When we entered the NFL with the Panthers, media said our teams would be linked and compared to each other forever. As such, which has been more successful? What is your reasoning?

I don't know that people compare the Carolina Panthers and Jaguars as much as observers -expected back in the mid-1990s; while the rivalry was a bit of a thing for a few years in that decade, it doesn't feel significant at all anymore. As for which franchise is more successful … I suppose the Panthers would be the answer because they have made the Super Bowl twice, but I'm not married to that answer. Neither team has been good enough lately and therefore each team has a lot more with which to concern itself than how the other "rival" franchise is faring.

Bill from Hawthorn Woods, IL

Granted, none of them are salary cap killing, blockbuster kind of deals … but there have been many more signings by the Jags than I expected. I expected three-to-four and we have to be in excess of double that. Does this feel the same or different than the frenzy of signings last year?

It feels different because these free-agency acquisitions feel like the early part of a long-term plan. Last offseason's signings felt reactionary following a disappointing season and had the feel of straying unnecessarily from a plan.

Thomas from Jacksonville

OK, Like Fortner was thought not be to be good enough at center and was replaced last year by Mitch Morse. But Fortner is still on roster. Can we presume he's been building up strength and technique? Any chance he's our center this fall?

I expect Hainsey to start at center for the Jaguars in 2025.

Justin from New York City

Pro Football Focus graded all but one of our free agent additions as below average for value. Get the feeling that we are overpaying as a rush to fill big holes ahead of the draft.

The Jaguars absolutely filled holes Monday. You always overpay in free agency. The positive for the Jaguars Monday is they were only overpaying a little – and necessarily – rather than in a big way that can hamper the franchise for the long-term.

Bryan from Lutz

Feels like a lot of mid-tier vets without long-term commitment. Exactly how free agency should be used. Hopefully some of these guys give solid play until we can find long-term fixtures in the draft.

Good eye.

Shawn from Pinehurst, NC

All these moves remind me of a few years ago when we signed quantity of second- and third-tier players instead of signing a few big-name players. Someone said that James Gladstone said that he doesn't want to pay good players elite money. Did you hear this? Also, who is your favorite signing so far.

I didn't hear Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone say that. If I had heard him say that, he might have been surprised when this cynical old sportswriter stuck his hand in the air for a high five. I don't necessarily have favorite free-agent signings. I think acquiring Hainsey and Mekari are very important for the offensive line, and that acquiring Lewis and Murray are good first steps toward improving a secondary that was pretty close to being in shambles a couple of days ago.

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

It looks like the Jags' triumvirate focused on the offensive line during Day One of legal tampering free agency. At least two starters were signed with several more players coming in to provide competition for several offensive line positions at best as well as better depth at the least. The starting corner and safety signings were imperative to fill those holes. Do you assume more defensive backfield signings in the next couple of days? What about along the defensive line?

I don't expect the Jaguars to be very active at all in the next couple of days.

John from Jax

Hi KOAGF - Your explanation about moving on from players who were injured or unproductive in 2024 to improve in 2025 and beyond. Doesn't our quarterback fit that logic, too? For example, I see releasing tight end Evan Engram might save a little on cap space, but we'll probably pay more to replace him. Does one injury make him expendable when he was such a big talent up until then?

Jaguars' Head Coach Liam Coen took the position largely because of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The plan is to build around Lawrence. That makes his situation different than anyone else on the roster. Because quarterback.

Fred from Naples, FL

Do you think Gladstone, Coen or Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli had any idea that center Mitch Morse was going to retire? It seemed to come out of the blue? Also, how much money did Morse walk away from?

I expect the Jaguars' decision-makers had an idea it was a possibility. I think the Jaguars would have been OK with Morse returning. I also think they knew they needed to change the makeup and dynamics of the offensive line – and that Morse retiring gave them a chance to change two positions – center and right guard – rather than just right guard.

Gary from St. Augustine, FL

Even during the tampering period, you still suck.

You don't tamper with success.

Steve from Jax Beach

So, this is what building through the draft looks like, huh? Sign a bunch of guys who are decent and can hold a line until you have a couple years to replenish through the draft. What do you think this turns into next year? Is this team better than a week ago?

The expectation is that this will be a better offensive line in 2025 than it was last season – and specifically, that it will be a better run-blocking line. The Jaguars certainly believe they are better now than a week ago.

Matt from Jacksonville

Are we there yet?

I think the Jaguars are very close to being done in 2025 free agency because they did a lot on Monday. I'm not sure the Jaguars are "there" yet. It's probably better described as being on their way to where they want to be going. Or something like that.