Since James Gladstone became the general manager, the Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of locking up their homegrown talent. Just this year, they extended tight end Brenton Strange. Before that, defensive end Travon Walker and long snapper Ross Matiscik got new deals around the same time. However, the Jags still need to get a few deals done, and there's no doubt that wide receiver Parker Washington should be the next in line.
Washington is coming off a breakout season and could post even better numbers next year. This is why general manager James Gladstone needs to strike a deal before his value goes up. And while there's no deadline to get it done, it may be in Jacksonville's best interest to do it before the start of training camp to avoid a potential distraction.
The Jaguars need to extend Parker Washington before training camp
A 2023 sixth-round pick, Parker Washington got limited playing time in his first two seasons. The Jaguars cleared the path for him when they traded Christian Kirk in 2025. The former Penn State Nittany Lion exploded into the NFL scene, registering 58 receptions for 847 yards with five touchdowns. Entering his fourth season in Duval, he's now in a position to cash in.
Vice president of football operations Tony Boselli stated early in 2026 that the franchise had begun negotiations with Washington and tight end Brenton Strange. Since then, Strange has gotten a three-year deal worth $36 million, so it could be a matter of time before Washington gets his with training camp looming.
But if the Jags fail to extend Washington before camp starts, they run the risk of turning it into a distraction — not because he'll make a fuss, but rather because the situation will be hovering over the team. If he chooses to, the Sugar Land, Texas native could hold in to avoid injury risk. If he does, coaches and other players will be asked why the team hasn't signed him yet if he's so valuable.
If Washington sits out practice, he'll also miss valuable reps, and that could lead to a drop-off in performance early in the season. Of course, the fourth-year pro will continue preparing on his own, but that's not the same as catching passes from Trevor Lawrence and honing their rapport.
The good news is that the Jaguars can avoid this situation by extending Washington as soon as possible. Granted, they could still give him a new deal before the regular season, and it may not be much of an issue. Then again, why run the risk?
Why the Jaguars haven't signed Parker Washington
The Jaguars would have surely liked to extend Parker Washington by now, but negotiations may not be easy. Both parties will want to get the most possible value, and they need to strike a balance.
On one hand, the Jaguars need to sign more players, while Washington needs to maximize his earning window while he can. And he's in a position to demand as much as he can because he'll have a bigger role and may return punts next season.
Early in the offseason, Washington was projected to get a four-year deal worth $64 million, but he could be asking for as much as $18 million or even $20 million per year after fellow receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed got extensions. It will be up to him and Jacksonville to meet in the middle.
The good news is that deadlines spur action, and with training camp looming, the Jaguars may speed up negotiations with Parker Washington. By striking a deal, they can fully focus their attention on building off their success in 2025.
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