The Jacksonville Jaguars are almost ready for this year’s free agency. They’ve started restructuring deals to free up space and get their salary cap in order. While the team’s brass is doing their best to keep their group from last year together, there’s a strong chance wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. won’t return in 2023.
Jones signed a two-year deal worth $13.5 million in 2021 and he led the team in catches (73), receiving yards (832), and receiving touchdowns (four). However, his production decreased last year due to the arrival of Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency.
With Kirk and Jones firmly entrenched as the top two receiving options and the potential reinstatement of Calvin Ridley, there might no longer be room for Jones in Jacksonville. Make no mistake though, Jones can still play at a high level and there are many teams where he would be the No. 2 receiver if not their top target, including these three.
No. 3 landing spot for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones: NY Giants
The New York Giants made the playoffs in head coach Brain Daboll’s first year at the helm. To avoid taking a step back in 2023, they’ll try to bring back Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley this offseason. Once they lock up Barkley and Jones, they’ll need to revamp their receiving core.
Darius Slayton, the Giants’ leading receiver in 2022, is set to become a free agent. But even if he comes back, the general manager Joe Schoen will need to add another target to ensure Jones has enough weapons at his disposal. Jones would be the perfect fit for Big Blue. Not only can he play at a high level but can provide veteran leadership to a young group that wants to take a step forward in 2023.
No. 2 landing spot for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones: Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears haven’t had much stability at the quarterback since Sid Luckman in the 1940s. Sure, Jay Cutler made things interesting in the early 2010s and Jim McMahon was one of their most recognizable players in the mid-1980s. However, they haven’t truly had a franchise quarterback in a while.
Justin Fields is the latest quarterback to join the carrousel. Even though he was the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, there’s a chance the Bears could trade him this offseason and take his replacement with the top overall selection in this year’s draft.
If the Bears decide to stick with Fields, they’ll need to provide him with a much better-supporting cast. Then again, the same would be true for any signal-caller, whether it’s a rookie or a veteran. Last year, tight end Cole Kmet led the Bears in catches (50) and receiving yards (544). Patrick Mahomes notwithstanding, no quarterback is going to win many football games with a subpar wide receiver corps.
Fortunately for Fields (or his rookie replacement), the Bears are scheduled to have nearly $100 million in cap room, which is more than enough to sign a couple of wide receivers and a pair of starting-caliber offensive linemen.
If the Bears want to be competitive in 2023, they’ll need to add veteran players that can provide leadership to their younger counterparts. Marvin Jones Jr. would quickly give the Chicago receiving corps a boost right off the bat and serve as a mentor for his teammates.
When you take into account that Jones would get paid a premium and have a starting role in Chicago, the Bears suddenly become an intriguing option.
No. 1 landing spot for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones: Houston Texans
Well, well, if it ain’t the Houston Texans, an AFC South foe the Jaguars have managed to beat just once since 2018. Defeating their division rival and sweeping them for the first time since 2017 should be one of Jacksonville’s main objectives heading into the 2023 season. But the Texans won’t make it easy.
With DeMeco Ryans’ taking over as their head coach, expect Houston to keep things as competitive as possible. Moreover, general manager Nick Caserio will keep adding talent to the roster this offseason. Besides a pair of first-round picks — including the second of three they got in the Deshaun Watson trade — in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans will have close to $40 million in cap space available, and one area they’ll need to address will be their wide receiver group.
Brandin Cooks, the Texans’ top receiver the last two seasons, is expected to be released, so their front office will need to fill in his void but also add another wideout in free agency. It’s worth noting that Davis Mills has proven he’s not the long-term answer at quarterback, so Houston could bring in a veteran, such as Jimmi Garoppolo, or draft a rookie in the first round.
Regardless of the path the Texans take, they’ll need to arm their quarterback with better weapons and Jones will be one of the best receivers available in the open market. While football is a business, teams will always look for ways to weaken their division rivals, and signing Marvin Jones would help Houston accomplish that.