Moeller: Let the NFL Free Agent Flurry Begin
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
Let the new regime begin.
New GM James Gladstone, and new head coach Liam Coen, and executive vice president and director of football operations Tony Boselli made their first mark on the eve of the league’s free agent signing period that begins Monday.
It was a fast and furious window that left some skidmarks. Their latest moves certainly have some former ties that definitely triggered them. They also are in time for the Jags to be major players in free agency and to begin to change the team’s landscape.
They did send some tremors throughout greater Jacksonville by releasing tight end Evan Engram, who they signed him to a three-year, $41 million deal in July 2023. Engram caught 234 passes over the last three years - 114 in ‘23- and became an integral part of the Jags’ offense. Many believed Engram was simply a five-yardo-out pass catcher, but he was more than that.
The trio also released cornerback Ronald Darby, who turned out to be a bust and likely was gone anyway, and kick returner Devin Duvernay, who also didn’t perform as anticipated.
A further shock wasn’t the trade of wide receiver Christian Kirk, rumored to be on the block for quite some time, but the fact that Kirk was dealt to the rival Houston Texans for a sixth rounder. The Jags also released wide receiver Josh Reynolds, who they signed during the season last year.
Kirk’s trade could signal the drafting of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has the potential to form a dynamic duo with Brian Thomas Jr.
In case you missed it, 32-year-old center Mitch Morse, who came to the Jags from Buffalo before the start of last season, suddenly retired.
In all, the Jags new trifecta’s moves have created roughly $61 million in cap space for free agency, the seventh highest total among teams. Guard Brandon Schereff is a free agent and probably won’t be back.
Coen has ties with guard Ben Bredeson and wide receiver Chris Godwin from Tampa Bay, and they could easily make the trip across the state. Colts’ guard Will Fries can also be a good pickup. Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, and Amari Cooper are also on the free-agent market.
New defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has ties with Raiders’ safety Tre’Von Moehrig and cornerback Nate Hobbs.
Others on the board for the Jags could be cornerbacks the Lions’ Carlton Davis and the Vikings’ Byron Murphy.
The Jags also signed veteran quarterback John Wolford as Trevor Lawrence’s backup, a move that should be solid. Like the growing thread, Wolford, Coen, and Gladstone were all once together in Los Angeles.
So, the Jags have set the stage for the free-agent flurry Monday.
Whatever way the trio goes, the message is clear that the Jags will take a new look under Lawrence, Josh Hines-Allen, and Travon Walker.
The new regime has begun, and beginning Monday, it will quickly get very interesting.
