Tag: Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence walks off hole 17 during the second round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament Friday, March 15, 2024 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Trevor Lawrence not distracted by looming deal with Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As he enters his fourth NFL season, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is eligible for a contract extension for the first time and expressed his desire to remain in Jacksonville “for as long as possible.”

Speaking to the media on Tuesday at the beginning of the 2024 offseason program, the former No. 1 overall pick said his representatives have discussed a new contract with the Jaguars.

“We love it here and I love where we’re headed as an organization and feel like I’m just getting better every year and my best ball’s definitely ahead of me,” said Lawrence, who has started 50 games over his first three seasons. “So, from that standpoint, obviously that would be great.”

Since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, NFL draft picks sign four-year deals, with teams holding fifth-year options for first-round selections. After a player’s third season, teams must choose whether to exercise that option during the offseason.

May 2 is the deadline for the Jaguars to decide whether to pick up the option on Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. (No. 25 overall pick in 2021).

“It’s not like this is necessarily going to be my last season (on the rookie contract),” Lawrence said. “There’s a lot that could happen. It’s not really my focus right now. At the end of the day, my job isn’t going to change whether I get extended or not before this season.

“My job is to go win games and to be the best I can be for this team so we can have a chance to win a Super Bowl.”

Coming off a strong 2022 campaign (25 touchdowns, eight interceptions), the 24-year-old Lawrence played through injuries down the stretch last season and finished with 21 TDs and 14 picks. He also missed a start for the first time in his NFL career, sitting out a Week 17 home win against the Carolina Panthers.

Gearing up for the 2024 season, Lawrence said he won’t let any contract talk get in the way of his preparation.

“I can’t lie: Obviously it would be nice to have that done and feel good about it,” Lawrence said. “But no, it’s not really the focus right now. Even if I get the contract extension, that’s still my job even more so.”

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) celebrates with teammates after setting the Jaguars single season record for sacks during second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead.

Reports: Jaguars, pass rusher Josh Allen agree to $150M deal

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Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl pass rusher Josh Allen agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

The Jaguars put the franchise tag on the 26-year-old Allen in March, blocking him from free agency as head coach Doug Pederson said the two sides were fully committed to working together on a long-term agreement. Allen has played only with the Jaguars since he was selected seventh overall in 2019.

Allen set a franchise record with 17.5 sacks in 2023 and his 45 career sacks are just 10 away from the team record (55, Tony Brackens). He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his first five seasons.

Under the terms of the franchise tag, Allen was guaranteed $24 million in 2024. Instead, he’ll reportedly received $88 million guaranteed.

The next order of business for the Jaguars could be the contract of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The No. 1 pick in 2021 is in the final season of his four-year, $36.8 million deal with a fifth-year option, a virtual guarantee to be picked up by the Jaguars, for 2025.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in 2020, signed a five-year, $275 million extension before Week 1 of the 2023 season not long after the Los Angeles Chargers signed quarterback Justin Herbert, selected No. 6 overall in 2020, to a five-year deal worth a reported $262.5 million.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) make the tackle on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during third quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida Sunday Night, December 17, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 10 to 0 at the half and lost 23 to 7. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun signs contract extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun signed a contract extension that spans through the 2027 season, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

NFL Network reported the contract is worth up to $45 million and includes $22.5 million guaranteed. The team later announced the extension but did not provide any terms of the deal.

Oluokon, 28, led the NFL in tackles during his final season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and his first campaign with the Jaguars in 2022. He totaled 173 tackles (including an NFL-best 111 solo tackles), 2.5 sacks and one interception for a touchdown in 17 games (all starts) last season for Jacksonville.

Oluokun has 819 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 98 career games (75 starts) with the Falcons and Jaguars. He was selected by Atlanta in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Yale.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders place kicker Joey Slye (6) kicks a field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jaguars sign K Joey Slye to one-year deal

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are signing free agent kicker Joey Slye to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Monday.

The former Washington kicker swaps places with Brandon McManus, who signed with the Commanders last week.

Slye, 27, converted 19 of 24 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points in 17 games for the Commanders last season.

He has made 82.3 percent of his field goals and just 88.5 percent of his PATs across five seasons with four teams.

McManus, 32, made 30 of 37 field goals and all 35 of his extra points in 17 games for the Jaguars in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (0) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (7) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Battery charges dropped against Jags WR Zay Jones

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Domestic battery charges against Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones were dropped by the state of Florida on Tuesday, one day ahead of his scheduled arraignment.

“After reviewing the evidence in the above-styled case, the undersigned Assistant State Attorney declines to prosecute this defendant for these charges,” Florida Assistant State Attorney Marie Theresa Ryan wrote in a disposition notice filed Tuesday.

Jones was arrested Nov. 13 by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of domestic battery causing bodily harm.

Jones, 28, caught 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (seven starts) last season. He missed eight games with a knee injury.

A second-round pick by Buffalo in 2017, Jones has 287 catches for 3,028 yards and 18 TDs in 104 games (67 starts) for the Bills (2017-19), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2019-21) and Jaguars.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Jags employee sentenced to 78 months for stealing $22M

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A former Jaguars employee who embezzled more than $22 million from the NFL team was sentenced to 78 months in prison on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville.

Amit Patel, 31, pleaded guilty in December to one count of wire fraud and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction.

He showed no emotion Tuesday as Judge Henry Lee Adams Jr. delivered his sentence of 78 months on each count, to run concurrently.

Patel was the Jaguars’ manager of financial planning before his firing in February 2023. Prosecutors said that he used a scheme involving a corporate virtual credit card to pay for cars, a condominium, luxury goods, online betting, the chartering of private jets and more over a span of 40 months from 2019-23.

Patel and some of his family members addressed the court before sentencing, detailing his addictions to alcohol and gambling.

Patel’s lawyer previously told The Athletic that the Patel lost “the vast majority” of the stolen money to gambling, often on football and daily fantasy sports.

Patel told the court the gambling losses “snowballed” out of control.

“I stand before you embarrassed, ashamed and disappointed for my actions,” Patel said, per The Athletic, as he explained how he squandered his “dream job” and future opportunities. “Due to my poor decisions, I ruined those opportunities.”

Jaguars chief legal officer Megha Parekh read a victim-impact statement.

“He was our teammate and he betrayed us,” Parekh said.

Prosecutors said he has returned $1.89 million but still owes more than $21.1 million in restitution.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse (60) in the tunnel before game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Jaguars, C Mitch Morse agree to two-year deal

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Free agent center Mitch Morse agreed to a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $10.5 million with $7 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported Monday.

Morse, 31, was released by the Bills in a salary cap move last week, which made him eligible to sign before the official start of free agency.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2022, Morse entered the NFL in 2015 as a second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, where current Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was offensive coordinator.

A captain in Buffalo, Morse is expected to replace Luke Fortner in Jacksonville. Fortner was 32nd in the NFL in pass protection grades among the league’s 32 starting centers in 2023 based on Pro Football Focus analytics.

Morse has played in 126 career regular-season games.

The Jaguars also announced the contract extension of offensive lineman Blake Hance on Monday. Terms were not disclosed.

Hance, 28, played in all 17 games with one start last season for Jacksonville, who claimed him off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 31, 2022. He has appeared in 50 games (nine starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2020-21), 49ers (2022) and Jaguars.

–Field Level Media

Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) arrives to a press conference held at Gillette Stadium to announce the team's hiring of new head coach Jerod Mayo (not pictured). Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Patriots to trade QB Mac Jones to Jaguars

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The New England Patriots will trade quarterback Mac Jones, a former first-round pick, to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a late-round draft pick, according to multiple media reports Sunday.

The deal calls for Jones, who is from Jacksonville, to head to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in April’s draft, according to an ESPN report. Trades are not official until the new league year starts Wednesday, and Jones would have to pass a physical.

Jones, 25, was taken with the 15th selection in the 2021 draft out of Alabama. The No. 1 pick in that draft, Trevor Lawrence, is the starter in Jacksonville.

The Patriots, who with the No. 3 pick this year could select one of the highest-rated quarterbacks, were not going to pick up Jones’ fifth-year option for the 2025 season before the May 2 deadline, according to reports.

His career in New England started on a bright note. Jones made the Pro Bowl and went 10-7 in his first season, passing for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Patriots lost to the Buffalo Bills 47-17 in the wild-card playoff round.

Over the past two seasons, however, Jones was 8-17 as New England’s starter with 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions and fell out of favor with then-head coach Bill Belichick

Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round draft pick in 2022, wound up starting six games for the Patriots during Belichick’s final season with the franchise in 2023.

The team’s unofficial depth chart on Sunday listed Zappe as the starter, followed by Jones and Nathan Rourke.

Jones played under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as a rookie, then after McDaniels left to coach the Las Vegas Raiders, the quarterback was coached by Matt Patricia, Joe Judge and Bill O’Brien.

In his three seasons in New England, Jones completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 8,918 yards, 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 42 games (all starts).

Of the five quarterbacks drafted in the first 15 picks in 2021, only Lawrence is a lock to start 2024 with the team that drafted him.

The San Francisco 49ers traded No. 3 pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. The New York Jets benched No. 2 pick Zach Wilson and have given him permission to seek a trade, and Justin Fields, the No. 11 selection, could be traded by the Chicago Bears this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) and Minnesota Vikings guard Ezra Cleveland (72) during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Jags give G Ezra Cleveland 3-year, $28.5M deal

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are re-signing guard Ezra Cleveland to a three-year, $28.5 million contract, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The deal includes a reported $14.5 million guaranteed. The Jaguars acquired Cleveland from the Minnesota Vikings at the Oct. 31 trade deadline last season in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Cleveland, 25, played 15 games (11 starts) with the Vikings and Jaguars in 2023 and surrendered only three sacks while lining up at left guard and left tackle.

Cleveland has started 54 of his 62 career games, including 45 in a row before missing Weeks 7-8 last season due to a foot injury.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) celebrates with teammates after setting the Jaguars single season record for sacks during second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead.

Jaguars apply franchise tag, retain pass rusher Josh Allen

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on pass rusher Josh Allen, who would make $24 million next season unless he works out on a long-term contract with Jacksonville before the NFL deadline on July 17.

Allen, the No. 7 overall selection in 2019, played the 2023 season on his fifth-year option and posted career highs with 17.5 sacks and 33 quarterback hits in 17 games.

The 26-year-old was voted to his second Pro Bowl and head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke let him know before the end of last season they were committed to keeping him in Jacksonville.

“Yeah, Josh will be a Jaguar,” Baalke said in January. “I know Josh wants to be here, and I know we want him here. Can we come to a number that works for everybody? That’s the key.”

Two edge rushers — Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns is the other — were tagged on Tuesday.

A long-term deal didn’t happen despite a meeting with Allen’s representatives in Indianapolis last week.

Only five “edge rushers,” comprised of defensive ends and pass-rushing outside linebackers, are scheduled to make more than Allen’s franchise tender in 2024.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the highest-paid player at the position group next season with an annual average salary of $34 million on a $170 million contract that raised the bar significantly last summer.

Montez Sweat, acquired by the Bears in October, is scheduled to make $24.5 million per year on a new $98 million agreement with Chicago. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns ($25 million), Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers ($27 million) and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt ($28 million) are the only other players in the same range.

–Field Level Media