5 unsung free agents the Jacksonville Jaguars must bring back in 2023

2. The Jacksonville Jaguars should re-sign S Andrew Wingard in 2023

What a difference a year makes. As recently as 2021, safety Andrew Wingard seemed like a fringe player. It’s easy to forget now but the coaching staff’s decision to name him the starter over rookie Andre Cisco before the start of the regular season raised eyebrows. It wasn’t that the player known as Dewey was bad but he didn’t make enough big to warrant a featured role on offense.

Wingard went on to make 15 starts in 2021 but the Doug Pederson regime realized they could no longer justify keeping Cisco on the bench and Dewey got bumped to a reserve role last year. While many players will feel frustrated when they’re bumped down the depth chart, Wingard took the demotion in stride and made the most of it, becoming a key contributor on special teams.

Moreover, Wingard became a locker room leader and incepted what went on to become the team’s signature rally cry near the end of the season, “It was always the Jaguars“. The former Wyoming Cowboy has the kind of mindset coaches want in all their players: Do your job regardless of your position and others will notice.

Even in a reduced role last season, Wingard still managed to register 27 total tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. If he hits the open market, other teams will probably offer the opportunity to start again, so the Jaguars must do what they can to bring back one of their unsung players during their 2022 playoff run.