JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars wanted to address tight end in a big way this offseason.
They took a step toward that Wednesday.
Chris Manhertz, a veteran tight end who spent the past four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, has agreed to terms to sign with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent. The team announced the agreement Wednesday at 4 p.m., the start of the NFL's 2021 League Year.
Manhertz (6-feet-6, 255 pounds), 28, originally was signed by the Buffalo Bills in May 2015 as a tryout player. He was released by Buffalo, then spent 2015 on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad before being released by New Orleans in October 2016.
He joined the Panthers off waivers, playing with Carolina the past five seasons and developing into one of the NFL's best blocking tight ends. He started 26 of 63 games played for Carolina the past four seasons and missed just one game in that span. He started 12 of 16 games played this past season.
Manhertz has 12 career receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown.
The Jaguars on Wednesday at 4 p.m. also announced they had agreed to terms with 10 other unrestricted free agents: defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, wide receiver/returner Jamal Agnew, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, safety Rudy Ford, cornerback Shaquill Griffin, running back Carlos Hyde, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, wide receiver Marvin Jones, defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris and defensive end Jihad Ward.
They also announced they acquired defensive tackle Malcolm Brown in a trade from the New Orleans Saints.
