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Two of the Jacksonville Jaguars' free agency additions made ESPN's list of "biggest head-scratcher" signings.
With the dust having settled on free agency, a number of ESPN's analysts and insiders answered various free agency-specific questions. One of which was, what was the biggest head-scratcher signing?
Matt Bown, Lindsey Thiry, and Field Yates all selected the Jaguars signing safety Eric Murray. Jeremy Fowler would pick signing center Robert Hainsey.
The general consensus among those who picked Murray as the biggest head-scratching move is that while he adds versatility to the Jaguars' defense, able to operate near the line of scrimmage or as the free safety, his production doesn't align with the contract he received.
"With only three interceptions in 124 career games, the Jags overpaid for the 31-year-old on a three-year, $22.5 million deal," wrote Matt Bowen.
After playing only 118 snaps in 2022 and 176 snaps in 2023, Murray didn't have any interceptions or pass breakups in either of those seasons. He did record two interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2024.
This wasn't a contract by any means that limits the flexibility the Jaguars have cap-wise moving forward. Murray's cap hit this season is just $3.6 million. It then jumps to $7.6 million in 2026--which is still very manageable--and the Jaguars have an out after Year 2 if needed.
"When you look at safety in particular, the root word there is ‘safe,’ and that's exactly what Eric provides," said GM James Gladstone. "So, we're excited to bring him into the ecosystem and I know he's excited to take on a more notable leadership role than what he's had in previous years."
When it comes to Hainsey, Fowler mentioned that paying him $21 million over three seasons seems like a lot, given that he wasn't a starter for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season.
After starting at center for Tampa Bay in 2022 and 2023, Hainsey was the backup in 2024 after the team drafted Graham Barton. However, Gladstone noted the importance of Hainsey's familiarity with Liam Coen's offense, which will help Trevor Lawrence, along with Hainsey's play style.
And again, the long-term contract isn't an issue. In fact, if needed, the Jaguars can save a bit in cap space as early as next offseason by moving on from him if that's what's needed.
These are moves that helped raise the floor, as Gladstone described this year's free agent class, and didn't really sacrifice cap flexibility in the process.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: 2 Signings called head-scratchers by ESPN
Continue reading...
With the dust having settled on free agency, a number of ESPN's analysts and insiders answered various free agency-specific questions. One of which was, what was the biggest head-scratcher signing?
Matt Bown, Lindsey Thiry, and Field Yates all selected the Jaguars signing safety Eric Murray. Jeremy Fowler would pick signing center Robert Hainsey.
The general consensus among those who picked Murray as the biggest head-scratching move is that while he adds versatility to the Jaguars' defense, able to operate near the line of scrimmage or as the free safety, his production doesn't align with the contract he received.
"With only three interceptions in 124 career games, the Jags overpaid for the 31-year-old on a three-year, $22.5 million deal," wrote Matt Bowen.
After playing only 118 snaps in 2022 and 176 snaps in 2023, Murray didn't have any interceptions or pass breakups in either of those seasons. He did record two interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2024.
This wasn't a contract by any means that limits the flexibility the Jaguars have cap-wise moving forward. Murray's cap hit this season is just $3.6 million. It then jumps to $7.6 million in 2026--which is still very manageable--and the Jaguars have an out after Year 2 if needed.
"When you look at safety in particular, the root word there is ‘safe,’ and that's exactly what Eric provides," said GM James Gladstone. "So, we're excited to bring him into the ecosystem and I know he's excited to take on a more notable leadership role than what he's had in previous years."
When it comes to Hainsey, Fowler mentioned that paying him $21 million over three seasons seems like a lot, given that he wasn't a starter for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season.
After starting at center for Tampa Bay in 2022 and 2023, Hainsey was the backup in 2024 after the team drafted Graham Barton. However, Gladstone noted the importance of Hainsey's familiarity with Liam Coen's offense, which will help Trevor Lawrence, along with Hainsey's play style.
And again, the long-term contract isn't an issue. In fact, if needed, the Jaguars can save a bit in cap space as early as next offseason by moving on from him if that's what's needed.
These are moves that helped raise the floor, as Gladstone described this year's free agent class, and didn't really sacrifice cap flexibility in the process.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: 2 Signings called head-scratchers by ESPN
Continue reading...
