4 Jaguars that most prove in 2021 they deserve another contract
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the most cap space in the NFL this offseason. However, they opted to re-sign plenty of their own free agents instead of going into a shopping spree. They focused on adding depth instead of handing out big contracts.
Led by head coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke, the new regime is taking a wait-and-see approach. The team’s brass wants to see if all those players that are set to hit the open market in 2022 are part of the team’s plans before they hand out any multi-year deals. In particular, these four Jaguars need to show they deserve another contract.
4. Jarrod Wilson, safety, Jacksonville Jaguars
It looks like the writing is on the wall for safety Jarrod Wilson. An undrafted free agent in 2016, the Michigan product signed with the Jags once that year’s selection meeting ended. Since then, he’s worked his way up the depth chart and has become a staple of the secondary. He played in just three percent of the team’s total snaps on defense in his rookie campaign and five percent the following year.
However, Wilson saw his usage go up in 2018, appearing on 22 percent of the Jags’ snaps on defense. The team organization liked what they saw and signed him to a three-year $7.25 million extension in 2019. Jacksonville’s trust paid off as the safety went on to start all 16 games that year and every single snap on defense. Moreover, he had a career year and logged 79 total tackles, four passes defended, one forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
In 2020, the veteran safety was his reliable self and registered 69 total tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception despite missing four games. Nevertheless, his solid play wasn’t enough to overcome the mess the Jags’ defense was last year.
This offseason, the team’s brass added reinforcements to the safety room, signing Rayshawn Jenkins in free agency and drafting Andre Cisco. Wilson will likely start next to Jenkins in the season opener but Cisco and sophomore Daniel Thomas will try to unseat him. The veteran will have to show he deserves to keep his job and a contract extension.