Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris (85) looks on after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Jaguars sign veteran TE Quintin Morris

The Jacksonville Jaguars added depth at tight end with the signing of veteran Quintin Morris on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed but Fox Sports reported it was a one-year deal for the 26-year-old free agent.

Morris played in 16 regular-season games for the Buffalo Bills last season and started three, catching five passes for 36 yards and one touchdown. He played 79 percent of their special-teams snaps (324) and was primarily a blocking tight end behind Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid.

Over the past three seasons in Buffalo, Morris had 15 receptions for 146 yards and three scores in 45 games (four starts). He played 912 snaps on special teams and 680 on offense over that time.

The Bills did not tender him a contract after he became a restricted free agent this offseason. The Jaguars also have likely starter Brenton Strange after losing tight ends Evan Engram (Denver Broncos) and Luke Farrell (San Francisco 49ers) in free agency.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Jaguars cut WR Gabe Davis, take $20.3M cap hit

The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Gabe Davis on Wednesday in a move that will see the team absorb a $20.3 million dead cap hit.

Davis signed a three-year, $39 million contract in March 2024. His $1.5 million salary for 2025 and $10 million signing bonus were fully guaranteed, however, per ESPN.

He caught 20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games (nine starts) last season before sustaining a torn meniscus in his left knee on Nov. 17 in a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions.

The Jaguars also parted ways with fellow wide receiver Christian Kirk in March, trading to him the Houston Texans. Jacksonville then moved up three spots to No. 2 in the 2025 NFL Draft last month and selected versatile receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter out of Colorado.

Second-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr. set franchise rookie records in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,282) in 2024.

Davis, 26, had 163 catches for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns in 64 games (47 starts) with the Buffalo Bills. He was selected by the Bills in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of UCF.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Jaguars release 2-time Pro Bowl TE Evan Engram

The Jacksonville Jaguars released two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, according to multiple reports Thursday.

Engram was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with the franchise, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2020.

Engram signed with the Jaguars 2022. He has posted three successful seasons in Duval, including his 2023 Pro Bowl season in which he hauled in 114 receptions (second-most in franchise history) for 963 yards and four touchdowns.

Last season, the veteran tight end logged only nine games due to injuries but still recorded 47 receptions for 365 yards and one TD. He had a respectable PFF grade of 72.5 (11th among tight ends).

The 30-year-old was set to enter the final season of his three-year, $41.25 million contract. His release will free up $5.98 million in cap space, per ESPN. The Jaguars will still be on the hook for $13.5 million in dead money.

The Jaguars are looking to shake up their roster following a disappointing 4-13 season. They reportedly traded wide receiver Christian Kirk to the division rival Houston Texans earlier Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) lies on the turf after sustaining an unknown injury as tight end Evan Engram (17) reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Reports: Texans acquire WR Christian Kirk from Jaguars

The Houston Texans have acquired wide receiver Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick, ESPN and The Athletic reported on Thursday.

The pick originally belonged to the Los Angeles Rams.

On Wednesday, the Jaguars announced they would release Kirk when the NFL free agency period kicks off on March 12. They instead found an interested suitor in the Texans and proceeded with the trade.

Kirk, 28, had 379 receiving yards, 27 receptions and one touchdown in eight games last season before breaking his collarbone in Week 8. He missed the remainder of the season and enters the final year of his contract.

The 5-foot-11 wideout carries a $16.2 million cap hit in 2025 after signing a four-year, $72 million contract with the Jags in 2022. He recorded 84 catches, 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the team — all career highs — as Jacksonville won the AFC South.

He missed the final five games of the 2023 season with an oblique injury and the Jaguars didn’t meet offseason expectations in 2024, stumbling to a 4-13 record.

Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. led Jacksonville in receiving yards (1,282) and touchdowns (10) in 2024 — cracking the NFL’s top 10 in both categories. Gabe Davis, Parker Washington, Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds are also on the depth chart as free agency and the NFL Draft approach.

The Texans have Nico Collins atop their wide receiver core and it’s murky after that. Stefon Diggs is a free agent and Tank Dell faces question marks for the 2025 campaign after suffering a major knee injury in December. He underwent a second surgery on Wednesday, to repair a torn ACL, after a prior surgery to repair other torn ligaments. He is expected to miss the season.

Kirk was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft and spent the first four seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he posted 236 receptions, 2,902 receiving yards and 17 scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron watches from the sidelines against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Jaguars add Shane Waldron to staff

The Jacksonville Jaguars are adding former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to their coaching staff, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

Per ESPN, Waldron likely will serve as pass-game coordinator in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars hired Grant Udinski to be head coach Liam Coen’s offensive coordinator on Wednesday night.

Jacksonville moved on from its 2024 offensive coordinator, Press Taylor, after it finished 25th in total offense (306.2 yards per game) and 26th in scoring (18.2 points per game).

Waldron, 45, coached with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017-20, working with tight ends during his first season before serving as a passing game coordinator. He coached on the same staff as Coen from 2018-20.

Waldron spent 2021-23 as the offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Bears prior to the 2024 season.

–Field Level Media

Jun 11, 2024; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebackers and running game coordinator Anthony Campanile runs during minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images

Jaguars hire Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator

The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Anthony Campanile as defensive coordinator.

“Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team,” head coach Liam Coen said in a statement issued Thursday. “He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical.”

Most recently, Campanile served as the linebackers coach/run game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers in 2024.

Campanile, 42, previously was the linebackers coach (2020-23) of the Miami Dolphins.

He began his coaching career as an assistant coach in the high school ranks at New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep before moving on to positions on the staffs at Rutgers, Boston College and Michigan.

His only season leading a defense came in 2018 at Boston College, where he was co-defensive coordinator.

The Jaguars hired Coen earlier this month to replace Doug Pederson as head coach. Previously the offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, he made an awkward exit from the Buccaneers, who reportedly were set to make him the highest-paid OC in the NFL before he spurned them to move north.

Per reports, the Bucs aren’t going to make it easy for Coen to fill out his staff.

ESPN reported Friday morning that the Buccaneers won’t agree to Jacksonville’s request to interview assistant offensive line coach Brian Picucci for a potential role on Coen’s staff. The Tampa Bay Times added that the Buccaneers also declined the Jaguars request to talk with offensive line coach Kevin Carberry.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Coen against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Jaguars announce hiring of Liam Coen as head coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with Liam Coen as their new head coach on Friday, two days after he reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the job.

Coen initially was set to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a new contract that reportedly would make him one of the league’s highest-paid coordinators.

The Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday, and several hours later, Coen left his job as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator to take the top post in Jacksonville.

“To repeat my message earlier this week, I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said. “I also believe in being judged by actions, not words. That’s why I took swift and decisive action this week to hire Liam Coen as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I am pumped that Liam is accepting the challenge and opportunity to build the winner that Jaguars fans and partners fully deserve. I know our players feel the same.”

Coen, 39, will take the post previously held by Doug Pederson, who was fired on Jan. 6 following a 4-13 season. The Jaguars finished 22-29 in three seasons under Pederson, reaching the playoffs just once, when they went 1-1 following the 2022 campaign.

“Becoming the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that I am going to run with to instill a championship culture and winning tradition here in Duval,” Coen said. “This doesn’t happen without the support and opportunities that my family and I have been afforded throughout my career, especially during this past season in Tampa Bay. We thank (Bucs head coach) Todd Bowles for his continued support and the entire Buccaneers organization for the experience, and know they will have success ahead.

“Most of all, we are grateful to Shad Khan for his belief in what we will bring to the Jaguars. We will work tirelessly to reward his confidence. As head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I will hire a first-class coaching staff, establish a distinctive and effective brand of football on both sides of the ball, and our players will live for the black and teal. Shad and Jaguars fans should expect nothing less, and that’s what we plan to deliver and more.”

Coen just finished his first season overseeing the Tampa Bay offense.

In Coen’s second stint as an NFL offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay averaged 29.5 points per game, fourth in the league in 2024. The Buccaneers ranked third in total offense with 399.5 yards per game, third at 250.4 passing yards and fourth at 149.2 rushing yards. They led the league by making 50.9 percent of their third-down attempts (110 of 216). Their total of 395 first downs was second in the league.

Leading that offense, Baker Mayfield set career highs with 41 touchdown passes, 4,500 passing yards and a 71.4 percent completion percentage under Coen’s watch.

Coen in recent years has bounced between the NFL and the University of Kentucky, where he was offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2021. He was the Los Angeles Rams’ OC in 2022, and he worked under head coach Sean McVay as the Rams’ assistant wide receivers coach (2018-19) and assistant quarterbacks coach (2020).

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) reacts to his first down pickup during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr. replaces Zay Flowers on Pro Bowl roster

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. received recognition for his strong rookie season on Thursday.

Thomas was named a finalist for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and also was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. He also was named to replace Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers on a Pro Bowl roster that also includes Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik and punter Logan Cooke.

Flowers withdrew from the exhibition event in Orlando due to a knee injury that prevented him from competing for his team in the playoffs.

Thomas, 22, recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) since being selected by the Jaguars with the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to Thomas, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, New York wide receiver Malik Nabers and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix were named as finalists for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke reacts during an NFL International Series game against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Trent Baalke out as Jaguars’ general manager

The Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke on Wednesday.

“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement released by the team.

“Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach. I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”

Baalke, 60, has been with the Jaguars since 2021. Under his watch, the team has posted a 25-43 record — including a 4-13 mark this season with the now-fired Doug Pederson as the head coach.

Multiple media outlets reported earlier on Wednesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen stepped out of consideration as a candidate to become head coach in Jacksonville.

Baalke also served as the vice president of player personnel and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-16. The 49ers fell in Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens and went 57-54-1 during his time with the team.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

AFC South rivals Colts, Jaguars playing out string

The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to play for this week and the players know where to point — at themselves.

The Colts complete their fourth consecutive non-playoff season on Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of AFC South squads.

The Jaguars (4-12) have long been eliminated from playoff contention in a truly disappointing campaign. Indianapolis (7-9) was in the mix until sustaining an embarrassing 45-33 road loss to the New York Giants last week.

Colts star linebacker Zaire Franklin, the NFL’s leading tackler with 165, made it clear that a team doesn’t lose a game like that if it is truly a playoff squad. The Giants, who were averaging a league-worst 14.3 points per game, more than tripled their average.

“It’s embarrassing. It’s disappointing. We got flat-out beat,” Franklin said. “The performance we put out defensively, just beyond unacceptable. You can’t play like that when you’re planning on being a playoff team. So we ain’t a playoff team.”

The Colts hope to have quarterback Anthony Richardson back on the field after he missed the game against New York due to severe back pain. Indianapolis didn’t rule Richardson out until Saturday but Richardson told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.

“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”

Richardson was the only Indianapolis player listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough.

The fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft has struggled with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also has thrown eight touchdowns, ran for six more and has a 6-5 record as a starter this season.

Richardson sat out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5. Joe Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also missed the game. Taylor ranks seventh in the NFL with 1,254 rushing yards while playing in 13 games.

As for the Jaguars, they are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Jacksonville posted a 20-13 home victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.

Quarterback Mac Jones, who is 2-4 as a starter this season, again starts in place of Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder surgery). Jones said he plans to leave the field with a victory.

“You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control,” Jones said. “For me, just keep it simple this week. A lot of distractions, a lot of this and that. But the challenge for everybody and for me is to focus on doing my part and then from there, it should take care of itself.”

The contest could be the final game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. He is 22-28 with the team and went 9-8 in each of his first two seasons before the club fell on hard times this season with 10 losses in its first 12 games.

Jacksonville defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, who had three sacks against Tennessee, said the atmosphere is good around the team despite the underachieving season.

“We’re looking to finish this on a positive note,” Hines-Allen said. “We’re not playing for a playoff game, so there’s frustration there. But we want to make it 2-0 (to end the season). If we can do that going into next season, it’s a good starting point.”

Left tackle Walker Little (ankle) was the lone Jacksonville player to miss practice on Wednesday.

The Jaguars have won three straight and five of the past six meetings.

–Field Level Media