Chris Ivory to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per reports
By Daniel Lago
The Jacksonville Jaguars made a huge splash on Tuesday afternoon during the legal tampering period by reportedly agreeing to terms with the top free agent on the market in Malik Jackson. While Jackson is going to cost a substantial amount of money, the Jaguars still have plenty of cap space available to them and they plan on using it.
One under-the-radar position the Jaguars were hoping to shore up was running back and they seem to have found their guy. Reports are indicating the Jaguars will sign former New York Jets running back Chris Ivory.
Former Jets' RB Chris Ivory is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars when new league year begins, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
Ivory was a rotation back before signing with the Jets and becoming one of the more consistent backs in the NFL over the last 2 seasons. Not a flash player, Ivory is reliable and tough with the ability to run between the tackles and bruise his way to extra yardage through contact. The Jaguars were hoping to get that kind of running style when they signed Toby Gerhart a few years ago but he’s been a complete bust.
Texans held preliminary talks with Chris Ivory, who's now expected to join Jacksonville Jaguars on deal worth over $6 million per year
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 9, 2016
I am generally against paying a lot of money for running backs but at this point it doesn’t really matter for the Jaguars. They have so much money and I have no doubt general manager David Caldwell is being smart with these types of contracts. Ivory probably is getting around $6 million per year but all the guaranteed money is going to be in the first two seasons and the Jaguars should be able to easily get out of the contract if need be.
On the field, Ivory is a perfect compliment to second year running back T.J Yeldon. That’s all that really matters.