Since general manager James Gladstone became the general manager in 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of locking up their homegrown talent. Sure, running back Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd left in free agency, but the Jags managed to retain two core contributors on defense when they re-signed cornerback Montaric Brown and extended pass rusher Travon Walker. That said, they still have their work cut out for them.
After locking up Walker, Jacksonville needs to continue with tight end Brenton Strange, safety Antonio Johnson, and wide receiver Parker Washington. All three are up for contracts, and it may be a good idea to start extending them before they become free agents in 2027.
The Jaguars are projected to sign Parker Washington to a 4-year, $64 million deal
If Gladstone wants to continue with Washington, an NFL cap analyst just projected what it would take to re-sign him.
Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac drew up a list of 10 wide receivers who are extension candidates. He included Parker Washington, arguing that he's developed into a mainstay of the Jacksonville defense. He projects the former Penn State Nittany Lion to ultimately get a four-year deal worth $60 million, but also brings up Jerry Jeudy's average of $17.5 million per year as an amount to take into account.
"Washington flourished in Jacksonville's new offense, positioning himself for a big raise heading into a contract season. Jerry Jeudy's $17.5 M could be a number to watch here."
For context, Jeudy reeled in 50 receptions for 602 yards last year, but crossed the 1,200-yard mark the year prior. Washington could post similar numbers from one season to the next. Hence, the comparison.
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Washington mostly lined up in the slot and was behind Christian Kirk on the depth chart his first two seasons. However, he flashed anytime he saw the field, catching a combined 48 passes for 522 yards with five touchdowns in relief of Kirk.
When Jacksonville traded Kirk to the Houston Texans in 2025, it paved the way for Washington to take on a bigger role. He wasted no time making the most of his chances, registering a career-best 50 receptions for a team-best 847 yards with five touchdowns.
Basically, the Sugar Land, Texas native doubled his production from the past two years combined, and some of that had to do with the fact that the coaching staff didn't limit him to the slot and had him play anywhere across the line of scrimmage.
The Jaguars need to lock up Parker Washington as soon as they can
Of course, the Jaguars could let Parker Washington walk in 2027, but part of the reason they didn't make many signings in the 2026 free agency, aside from getting compensatory draft picks, was that they wanted to have enough cap space to re-sign their own players.
Circling back to Michael Ginnitti's projection, it's telling that he thinks Jacksonville will strike a deal with Washington in the spring. This takes into account James Gladstone's willingness to take care of players who will help the Jaguars win games, but also the fact that the more they wait to extend him, the more they'll have to fork out.
Ultimately, paying Parker Washington $15 million per year isn't that much when you consider just how important he is to the Jaguars' success.
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