Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars will miss sophomore linebacker Jack Kiser for a good portion of training camp after he suffered a knee injury, they can withstand his absence because they're stacked at the position. Having said that, the team's brass isn't taking any chances and is adding reinforcements.
The Jags announced that they've signed linebacker Jared Bartlett, releasing wide receiver Ben Patterson in a corresponding move.
After going undrafted in 2025, Bartlett had a brief stint with the New York Jets before spending time with the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals. He suited up for two games with the Cards but didn't log a stat. The former Cincinnati Bearcat signed with the Carolina Panthers early in 2026 but was waived in June. He now gets a chance to compete in Jacksonville, which begs the question, why did the team's brass bring him in?
The Jaguars are kicking the tires on Jared Bartlett
Jack Kiser will return at some point of training camp. For the time being, rookie Parker Washington and fourth-year pro Yasir Abdullah will get additional reps in his place. Both of them could be competing for a roster spot, so they will most definitely benefit from all the extra opportunities they can get.
Apart from Abdullah and Kiser, Foyesade Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, Branson Combs, Jalen McLeod, and Dennis Gardeck are in the mix. This makes you wonder where Jared Bartlett could fit. After all, he currently appears to be on the outside looking in.
The Jags will most definitely give Bartlett a legitimate chance to compete, but he'll have an uphill battle to stay in Duval in 2026.
Can Jared Bartlett stick around with the Jaguars next season?
Best-case scenario, Jared Bartlett could make the Jacksonville practice squad, but even that may be a long shot. Why then, did the Jaguars bring him in? They could be simply kicking the tires on him in case injuries deplete the linebacker corps, or they could bring him back and re-sign him if they were to lose either Yasir Abdullah, Parker Hughes, or any of their linebackers on the waiver wire.
As noted before, the Jags are loaded at linebacker and won't be able to keep everyone on the 53-man roster. But they would surely add whoever doesn't make the cut to the practice squad. Having said that, general manager James Gladstone is surely aware that it may not be possible, so signing Bartlett would be a feasible contingency plan.
Of course, for that to happen, Jared Bartlett will have to make an impression with whatever chances he gets in training camp. If he pulls it off, maybe he can stay with the Jaguars in some sort of capacity in 2026.
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