Big free-agent signing coming back to haunt Jaguars at the NFL trade deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a pair of dominant pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, but they could most definitely use a No. 3 in the rotation at the trade deadline. However, the Jags won't be making further additions to the defensive trenches after inking Arik Armstead in free agency. Based on how he's played this season, the signing doesn't look great in retrospect.

Armstead excelled at creating pressure from the interior throughout most of his career but has seen extended playing time behind Walker and Hines-Allen on the edge. That's odd when you take into account that the former Oregon Duck is at his best when he lines up inside.

Surprisingly, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said that Armstead is playing on the edge because that's what they agreed when Jacksonville signed him in free agency. This raised eyes because the former Oregon Duck is at his best when he plays inside. Still, the move would make sense if he were productive on the edge, but he hasn't been.

Of Armstead's 290 defensive snaps this season, 170 have come on the edge. And in total, he's logged 12 total pressures and a sack. That's certainly not the kind of production that you expect from a No. 3 pass rusher who got a three-year deal worth $43.5 million in free agency. Heck, the decision to not give Arden Key a three-year deal worth $24 million back in 2023 looks puzzling in hindsight.

Key has been more productive than Armstead and wasn't nearly expensive. Moreover, trading defensive end Trevis Gipson before the regular season retroactively makes sense. The Jaguars didn't need him because they had the Armstead in the fold. The trouble is that the team's brass gave him top-market money and isn't getting enough bang for the buck.

Compounding the issue is that Armstead's salary will prevent the front office from making further additions to the pass rush in 2023.

The Jaguars are waiting on Arik Armstead to make an impact

Because the Jacksonville Jaguars gave big contracts to Josh Hines-Allen and Arik Armstead in the offseason, they won't be adding pass-rush help before the deadline despite the fact that there will be enticing options. One day before the November 5 deadline, the Arizona Cardinals acquired Baron Browning in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Similarly, Azeez Ojulari and Za'Darious Smith could be on the move.

Heck, one week before the deadline, the New England Patriots traded Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is to say, that there have been countless options for clubs that want to bolster their pass rush. Yet, Jacksonville will probably stay put.

Had the team's brass not made such a massive investment in Armstead, they might've looked for much-needed pass-rush help. But now they're stuck, and their chances of making the playoffs look bleak after the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. This brings us to general manager Trent Baalke.

Head coach Doug Pederson deserves plenty of blame for the team's 2-7 record, but Baalke must also shoulder the blame for not restocking the roster the way he should. Had the Jags expected Armstead to play inside, they might not have drafted Maason Smith or Jordan Jefferson. Neither player has been productive and the team could've allocated the picks to other position groups, perhaps the safety group or the offensive line.

Either way, signing Arik Armstead hasn't had the impact the Jaguars desired, and that's on Trent Baalke.

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