Although the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't take a big swing in free agency, they've been aggressive in an effort to keep their roster core together. Just a couple days after giving Ross Matiscik an extension, they took care of business with Brenton Strange, giving him a three-year deal worth $48 million.
The deal is a win/win situation as the Jags locked Strange up before his price kept going up. For his part, the Nittany Lion no longer has to worry about his contract and can fully focus on having a banner season.
With this in mind, here are the biggest winners and losers from the Brenton Strange extension.
Winner: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence will have no shortage of weapons the next couple seasons, but can now sleep safe and sound knowing one of his most trusted targets isn't going anywhere. While No. 16 isn't afraid to sling the pigskin, Brenton Strange gives him a safety valve in the middle of the field. Similarly, the veteran tight end will make sure Lawrence stays protected.
Strange doesn't get nearly as much recognition as other offensive players in Jacksonville. Nevertheless, Lawrence must be glad he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Loser: Nate Boerkircher, Jaguars tight end
The Jaguars drafted Nate Boerkircher at No. 46. He was always going to be the No. 2 behind Brenton Strange next season. Heck, the former Texas A&M Aggie missed a portion of the offseason program with a minor injury, so he's a little behind his peers.
But even if Boerkircher flashes as a rookie, any hopes he might have had of being TE1 in the future went up in smoke when Strange signed his extension. Granted, the Aurora, Colorado native will still have a substantial role, but he'll play second fiddle in Jacksonville as long as Strange is around.
Winner: Jaguars locker room
The new Jaguars regime has made it clear that they will reward players who deliver and fit their vision. Sure, they let linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne bolt in free agency, but the team's brass wasn't going to be able to match the offers they got from the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Anyway, the Jags re-signed cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck just before free agency. Not long after, they extended defensive end Travon Walker. More recently, they gave long snapper Ross Matiscik a new deal.
After Matiscik's deal, general manager James Gladstone knew he had his work cut out, so he wasted no time getting a deal done with Strange. This reflects well on the front offices. Players are paying attention to all the deals Jacksonville is handing and know they'll also be rewarded if they deliver. That's the kind of culture you want to build.
Loser: Parker Washington, wide receiver
There's no doubt that Parker Washington is a team player, and he's surely hyped up that Brenton Strange got an extension. That said, Washington would have probably wanted to get a deal done by now, but it was Strange who got a new contract.
This doesn't mean that Washington won't get an extension. Simply, it wasn't his turn, and he'll have to wait, but it may be a matter of time before the Jaguars take care of him too.
Winners: Tucker Kraft, Packers tight end
You could make the case that we're kind of cheating here, as Tucker Kraft isn't with the Jaguars. Heck, he doesn't even play in the same conference. That said, the Green Bay Packers tight end will be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Kraft is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He was on pace to rack up over 1,000-yards last year, but an ACL tear cut his 2024 season short. Nevertheless, the Packers are making an effort to lock him up. In light of Strange's extension, the Packers now know what the floor in contract negotiations will be.
After Strange signed his extension, four tight ends make an average of $16 million or more per year (the others are Trey McBride, George Kittle, and Kyle Pitts). Kraft will surely want to be part of that club.
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