You know, one of the key moves in a "run-it-back" type of strategy should be to lock down your star players as soon as possible. For one, recent history shows that the price of their services will only go up, not down, as they continue to accrue valid years of service under their belt. As such, the best day for a front office to negotiate the cheapest deal possible will always be the one right in front of them.
In the Jacksonville Jaguars' case, this line of thinking would lead them towards addressing the expiring contracts on their books before the players involved have a chance to hear what the open market has to offer. We may never confirm how much the Jags offered Travis Etienne before he signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, but the reported figures of his new deal could be a clue.
Basic math shows that Etienne will be getting $13 million per year with his new contract, which, in its first year, almost pays him as much as he made during his entire five-season tenure in Jacksonville. I bring this up because another key contributor to the Jaguars' offense is due to get paid.
However, like Etienne, he doesn't have the eye-popping stats or individual accolades you'd expect from a big-money earner. Despite that, writers in the national media are calling for James Gladstone to sign this player to an extension as soon as possible, which means he's definitely due for a breakout campaign that will bust his market wide open in 2026
Signing Brenton Strange should be the Jaguars' top priority
Throughout the offseason, national outlets decided to focus more on the eternal trade rumors surrounding Brian Thomas Jr. However, some publications decided to drop nuggets about Brenton Strange's contract situation here and there. In Bleacher Report's case, Strange's potential re-signing has been mentioned as a big item on the Jaguars' to-do list at least twice.
In his proposed agenda for James Gladstone & Co., Brent Sobleski wrote that "an opportunity to sign Brenton Strange can keep one of the league's bright, young tight ends in the fold." Interestingly enough, he also said that BTJ could be expendable since Jakobi Meyers seems like the team's WR1 at the moment.
I don't know if I agree with that, but I can't argue against how much different Liam Coen's offense looks when Strange and Meyers are available. The former Las Vegas Raider got his new deal almost instantly, so that should send a great message to No. 85 and his representation . . . right?
Well, not if you look at the Jaguars' most-recent draft class
In his own analysis for B/R, Moe Moton highlighted that "[the] Jaguars have a crowded tight end room that includes two rookies, but Strange is by far the best pass-catcher among the group." Usually, drafting two players who play the same position as a veteran with an expiring contract spells doom for the guy with one foot out the door, but Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol are both specialists who excel so much at one aspect of the position that they're kind of weak at the other.
Boerkircher was drafted to supercharge the run game with his contributions as an inline blocker on the edge. Instead of using a sixth offensive lineman that makes the play call obvious, the Jags will deploy the former Texas A&M Aggie to present the threat of another target in the passing game. Also, and most importantly for this plan, he won't have to be announced as tackle eligible every time he checks in.
Koziol is the exact opposite, as he's a gifted receiver who caught 237 passes and 24 touchdowns during his time as a collegian. He has the frame (6'6", 247 lbs) to grow as a blocker on running downs, but he leaves a lot to be desired in that department at the moment. So much so that he was still available in the fourth round despite his resume as a pass catcher.
So, if it was solely about securing a tight end who's the complete package and a proven scheme fit, paying Brenton Strange now would still be the best option available. It wouldn't be shocking if Koziol made the final 53, but it's hard to see where he'd fit in either way before training camp begins.
Strange can block and has grown to become one of Trevor Lawrence's favorite targets over the years. On paper, his well-rounded game easily sets him up to log more snaps than Boerkircher and attract more targets than a rookie who's learning how to beat coverages on the job like Koziol.
I can understand why James Gladstone would want to have his backup plans secured and in the building before things go south during his negotiations with Strange's agent, but who says that the talks have to end poorly?
Travis Etienne's departure could have taught the second-year general manager something he didn't know before earning his own stint in the big chair. Hopefully, he uses this wisdom to keep what's left of the band together, as nobody wants the magical run that started last season to end too soon.
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