The Jacksonville Jaguars signed a safety on Day 1 of the legal tampering period, but not the one observers thought. Expected to make a run for Jevon Holland, they settled on Eric Murray. Looking at how much the New York Giants for Holland, the Jags probably won't mind losing out on him.
Early on Day 2 of the tampering period, New York reached a deal with Holland on a three-year, $45.3 million.
All things considered, this was a good year to sign a safety in free agency... if you were willing to fork out a significant amount of cash. Aside from Holland, Tre'vor Moerigh and Cam Bynum got top-market contracts. Jeremy Chinn also got a two-year deal, but it wasn't nearly as lucrative.
The Jaguars for their part, gave Murray a three-year deal worth $22.5 million. Of course, he doesn't have the same name recognition as other fellow safeties nor has been as productive. That's why he wasn't nearly as expensive.
A ten-year veteran, Murray has suited up for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cleveland Browns, and the Houston Texans, registering three interceptions and 24 passes defensed.
Those numbers won't pop off the stat sheet, and the fact that the Jags chose not to spend to bolster the safety position will cast doubt in his signing, especially after the New York Jets signed Andre Cisco to a one-year deal worth $10 million.
This begs the question, why Murray and not Holland or even Cisco?
Why the Jaguars chose Eric Murray rather than overpay for Jevon Holland?
There's no doubt that the Jacksonville Jaguars could've used Jevon Holland. He would've given them a starter opposite Darnell Savage who won't get beat deep and excels at defending the run. Add the fact that he would've been reunited with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, and the fit was too good to not happen.
Having said that, the current Jaguars regime realized that they're not two or three players away from contention, and making a series of splash signings would've increased expectations right off the bat. Instead, head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone are committed to rebuilding the team. Most of the signings they made were done with the intention of raising the floor on the roster, not competing for a championship.
The Jags are aware that they have several holes and one offseason alone won't be enough to fix them. Moreover, they have 10 draft picks, so there wasn't the need to spend for the sake of spending. Sure, Murray isn't nearly as good as Holland, but he'll get the job done, and that's fine. He can hold the fort while the front office addresses other needs, and when it's time, they'll devote significant resources to the safety position.
The bottom line is that Jevon Holland deserves the $43.5 million the Giants gave him, but the Jaguars should be good about avoiding the temptation of paying a premium for his services.