From the moment Andrew Wingard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he became a fan favorite. First, Dewey made their initial 53-man roster. Later, he worked his way up the depth and at last became a full-time starter in 2021.
After getting phased in 2022, Wingard just kept working and helping the Jags however he could. By 2025, he had once again become a starter. But all good things must come to an end, and the former Wyoming Cowboy has left Jacksonville to join the Arizona Cardinals.
Andrew Wingard is leaving the Jaguars for the Cardinals
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Andrew Wingard is signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal with a base value of $3 million that can be worth up to $4 million. This is similar to the three-year, $9 milion contract he got from the Jaguars in 2023.
It's possible that Wingard wanted to start, and that wouldn't have been possible in Jacksonville due to the presence of Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson's ascension last year. Couple that with the expected return of sophomore Caleb Ransew from a season-ending injury, and it's easy to see why the veteran safety was looking for opportunities somewhere else.
In the desert, Wingard joins a secondary that includes Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Budda Baker. He could start if needed, but he will also play a key role on the special teams. He also gets a fresh start under first-time head coach Mike LaFleur.
You may also like: Jags' trade package for Maxx Crosby is too good for the Raiders to ignore
What's next for the Jaguars after letting Andrew Wingard walk?
Even though safety was dubbed a weakness for the Jaguars last year, they're currently set even after losing Andrew Wingard to Arizona. Eric Murray turned out to be a dependable starter, while Antonio Johnson had a breakout season just one year after getting benched. Sophomore Rayuan Layne is also in the mix. And as noted before, Caleb Ransaw, who was expected to have a feature role as a rookie, is back in the fold.
Maybe the Jaguars could add depth at safety in the draft, but losing Wingard isn't a huge blow. Sure, it stings because he was one of the longest-tenured players alongside punter Logan Cooke, pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, and defensive end Dawuane Smoot, who briefly left in 2024 but returned last year.
Just because there was no longer room for Andrew Wingard in Jacksonville doesn't mean he was bad. Far from it. He could most definitely help the Cardinals. While he gets another chance to do what he loves, the Jaguars wil need to continue to work on improving the roster in the upcoming months.