WR Marvin Jones Jr. will give 110 percent with the Jacksonville Jaguars or wherever he plays in 2023

Wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. doesn’t probably get nearly as much attention as other Jacksonville Jaguars players that are set to become free agents. However, he’s been a key contributor for the Jags the last two seasons and head coach Doug Pederson says Jones will do great regardless of where he plays next season.

Pederson spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine and says that Jacksonville would like to keep all their pending free agents, including Jones, but it’s not feasible due to the salary cap.

“Marvin helped us win a lot of games this year”, Pederson said. “He was kind of Trevor’s go-to guy in certain situations and you saw him make the great catch in the Baltimore game for the touchdown”.

“Really throughout the course of the season, very unselfish player, we have to see. Again, we’d love to get our players back. Just seeing where it’s gonna play out. You can’t sign them all. You want them all. It’s part of this business, whatever happens, I know Marvin is going to be, with us or somebody else, he’s gonna give 110 percent”, Pederson said.

A fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2013, Jones signed a two-year deal worth $13.5 million with the Jags in 2021. That year, he led the team in catches (72), receiving yards (832), and receiving touchdowns (four). Due to the arrival of Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, he had a reduced role but he still managed to haul in 46 receptions for 529 yards with three touchdowns.

Jones still has plenty of gas left in the tank and even though he’s not a true No. 1 receiver, he’s a solid No. 2 that could help nearly half the teams in the league. Although the former Cal Golden Bear isn’t among the top players scheduled to be free agents in 2023, Greg Jennings of The 33rd Team thinks he’ll be one of the best receivers potentially available.

Marvin Jones could re-sign the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 in one scenario

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired wide receiver Calvin Ridley before last year’s trade deadline but he’s currently serving an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games in 2021. Even though he’s already filed for reinstatement, the league hasn’t lifted the suspension. In fact, Pederson told the media he hasn’t heard any news.

In the off chance Ridley isn’t reinstated, the Jaguars could bring back Jones. The problem with that approach is that free agency is less than three weeks away and Jones can’t be on standby, waiting for a decision on Ridley.

If the league announces a decision before free agency starts on March 15, the Jaguars should then do what they can to re-sign Jones. Once free agency begins, it won’t be possible to keep Jones waiting. Teams normally spend most of their money and fill needs in the early stages. If Jones waits, he won’t probably get a competitive offer or could land in an unfavorable situation.

The Jaguars have gotten much better since they signed Jones, which is why they’ll probably let him work. But wherever he ends, he’ll be just fine.