Jaguars re-sign A.J. Cann: Four of five OL starters return

The Jacksonville Jaguars reached an agreement with right guard A.J. Cann on a three-year contract extension worth $15 million on Wednesday.

Some would argue the Jacksonville Jaguars could have found better value at right guard than re-signing A.J. Cann to a three-year contract extention on Wednesday. I am of the opinion it was one of the better moves the team could have made given the amount of money the organization used to sign quarterback Nick Foles to his $88 million deal.

Cann, who had the best season of his career last year, was set to become a free agent at 4 PM on Wednesday, but the team reached an agreement before he could test the market. The move is a sound one because it also means four of the five starters from Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season are still on this roster.

The only player out of position is right tackle Jermey Parnell, who was released last week in a move to create more cap space. The deal is worth $15 million, according to NFL Network, which first reported the news.

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"“The Jaguars drafted Cann in the third round (67th overall) in 2015 and he has missed just four games in his four years with the team,” Michael DiRocco of ESPN reported on Wednesday. “He started all but one of the 60 games in which he played and was one of two Jaguars players to be on the field for every offensive snap in 2016 (Parnell was the other).”"

In a season where offensive linemen were dropping like flies last year and the run and pass protection were porous the majority of 2018, Cann was able to remain healthy to finish as the only original starter on the line to remain in the same position in Week 17. The Jaguars do need depth on the O-line and figure to use both free agency and the NFL Draft in April to fill needs.

One of the reasons for the team reaching a new agreement was the request of new offensive line coach George Warhop, who said he thought there were some things he could work with Cann on for the coming season, as head coach Doug Marrone told the media on Thursday. Cann, who was thought to be the team’s weakest link on the line coming into 2018, improved throughout the season.

The Jaguars, along with Warhop and Marrone, want to see that trend continue.

Now, the team must find a starter at right tackle. Last year’s fourth-round pick Will Richardson figures to be in the mix. The team may also look to add depth through free agency or the NFL Draft or both.

ESPN’s Jordan Schultz is reporting Former Cincinnati Bengals 1st-round pick, Cedric Ogbuehi visiting Jacksonville today.