With Andre Cisco hitting the open market, the Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to sign his replacement in free agency. The legal tampering period came, and they did. It's just that they signed one not many fans anticipated.
Jaguars alumni Maurice Jones-Drew reports that his former team reached an agreement with safety Eric Murray for a three-year deal worth $22.5 million with $12 million guaranteed. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media also confirmed the move.
A fourth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, Murray has also played for the Clevaland Browns, and the Houston Texans. He's appeared in 124 games with 58 starts and registered three career interceptions along with 24 passes defensed.
The signing was a bit surprising because there was chatter that they were going to pursue Jevon Holland in free agency. This made sense when you take into account that the former Oregon Duck worked with Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile when he was the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Then again, the Jags may not have wanted to get into a bidding war with the Tennesee Titans and the Washington Commanders to land Holland. That or his asking price exceeded the team's spending budget.
The Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts were also seemingly interested in Holland, but they signed Tre'vor Moerigh and Cam Bynum, respectively, so they're no longer destinations for the fifth-year safety.
Either way, it looks like the Jaguars felt that Murray would address their need for a starting safety in free agency.
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Making sense of the Eric Murray signing
On Day 1 of the legal tampering period, the Jacksonville Jaguars have avoided splash signings. It's possible that they don't want to pay good players like great players. Aside from Eric Murray, they signed cornerback Jourdan Lewis, quarterback Nick Mullens, tight end Hunter Henry, and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari. All of them are serviceable players but far from game-changers.
When it comes to the safety position, Tre'vor Moehrig just signed a three-year deal worth $51 million, and there's a chance Jevon Holland could command a similar amount. That amount might've exceeded the team's spending budget.
Now, Murray is a serviceable starter, but there's a chance that the Jaguars brought him in as a placeholder while they address other roster needs this offseason. And that's the thing.
The Jaguars have lots of talent but also many roster holes, especially after trading Christian Kirk and releasing a handful of players. The issue is that they probably want to avoid overspending and will instead build through the draft.
This approach makes sense when you take into account that the Jags are far from a contender at this moment, and making a couple of splash signings won't get them close to the promised land. That's why it makes sense to bring in a plug-in starter to address needs short-term while they take care of other holes.
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