Jaguars have options at LG after Andrew Norwell’s departure

Four days after the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period and one day after free agency officially started, former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard Andrew Norwell is expected to sign the Washington Commanders. While it’s great to see Norwell find a new home, his departure leaves a void at left guard and it’s fair to wonder how the Jags will fill it.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Norwell is expected to join with the Commanders. As of this writing, the signing and the terms aren’t official but it may just be a matter of time before it does. This move reunites the veteran guard with Ron Rivera, who was the Carolina Panthers head coach when they signed him as an undrafted free agent back in 2014.

Norwell enjoyed his best years in Carolina, so it’s easy to see why Rivera wanted him in Washington. The Commanders paved the way for his arrival with the release of left guard Ereck Flowers the day before. Releasing Flowers creates $10 million in cap space, so it’s possible that the Commanders might have gotten Norwell at a lower rate.

Back in 2018, the Jaguars made Norwell the highest-paid guard in the league with a five-year, $66.5 million deal. Although didn’t make the Pro Bowl or the All-Pro in Jacksonville, he was among their most consistent starters and never had a down year, and at 30, he should still have plenty of gas left in the tank.

What will the Jaguars do at left guard after the departure of Norwell?

Norwell was a fixture of the Jaguars’ offensive line over the last four years and general manager Trent Baalke will now have to find someone to take his place. Fortunately, he will have options. Brandon Scherff, who just signed with the team, has previously lined up at left guard but if the coaching staff wants to live him on the right side, Ben Bartch becomes an option.

Another alternative is to move sophomore Walker Little to left guard. The former Stanford Cardinal looked really good at left tackle at the end of the 2021 season but Baalke suggested they could move him to the interior if necessary, per John Shipley of Sports Illustrated.

On the other hand, the Jaguars could also still sign a free agent. They don’t have as much cap space as they had a few days ago but should still have enough to make a couple of additions. Quinton Spain, Billy Turner, and Bradley Bozeman all are still available and all have starting experience. Last but not least, the team’s brass could pick offensive guard prospect on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Jaguars could have brought Andrew Norwell back but now that he’s gone, they will need to replace him and if possible, upgrade the left guard position.