The Jacksonville Jaguars just checked off a massive box when they signed Travon Walker to a four-year deal worth $110 million with $70 million guaranteed. Now, they no longer have to wait until 2027 to make a decision on the former Georgia Bulldog.
Walker was entering a contract year, but instead of waiting, the Jags decided to go ahead and sign him before his stock went up. Sure, he's not a top-tier defensive end, but by extending him, the team's brass is providing continuity up front. Moreover, Jacksonville won't have to worry about potentially replacing him if he leaves in 2027.
Simply put, the deal comes with plenty of upside, and if Walker breaks out next season, it will look like a bargain in 2027. This begs the question: Who should the Jaguars sign next? The answer is painfully obvious.
The Jaguars need to give Brenton Strange a new deal after extending Travon Walker
Just a few days before the Jaguars extended Travon Walker, vice president of football operations Tony Boselli said that the organization had begun contract talks with him, wide receiver Parker Washington, and tight end Brenton Strange.
Having taken care of Walker, Jacksonville can now turn its attention to either Strange or Washington. Of course, safety Antonio Johnson also deserves consideration, but there's plenty of time to get a strike a deal with all three.
Anyway, Strange should be the next in line for a simple reason. While Washington is coming off a banner season, the Jags also have Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Travis Hunter in the fold. Moreover, they extended Meyers last year, so the wide receiver corps would be in relatively good shape even if Washington left. The same cannot be said about the tight end room, as there's not much depth behind Strange.
The Jags just re-signed Quintin Morris in free agency. The Bowling Green product worked his way up the depth chart last year and proved his value as a blocker. However, he isn't much of a pass catcher, and the only other tight end on the roster is Hunter Long, who's a better receiver, but he's not the kind of player that keeps defensive coordinators awake the night before game day looking for ways to stop him.
This is a long-winded way to say that Strange is the only true game-changer at tight end the Jags have. The 2023 second-round pick was a non-factor as a rookie, hauling in a measly five receptions for 35 yards with a touchdown. However, he showed substantial improvement the following year, catching 40 catches for 411 yards with two touchdowns while filling in for Evan Engram. Moreover, he provided a much-needed element of physicality to the Jacksonville offense.
The Jags saw enough of Strange in 2024 to move on from Engram the following year. Strange repaid the team's trust by reeling in a career-best 46 receptions for 540 yards with three trips to the end zone last season despite the fact that he missed five games with a hip injury.
Now, Strange is entering a contract year, and the Jaguars are better off signing him now before his value skyrockets.
Why should the Jaguars sign Brenton Strange right now?
If the Jaguars lock up Brenton Strange, they don't have to worry about replenishing the tight end room. Keep in mind that Quintin Morris and Hunter Long are also entering contract years, so by re-signing Srange now, Jacksonville would only have to worry about adding depth at the position either this year or next.
Moreover, the Jags would save themselves plenty of money if they strike while the pan is hot. Right now, the 10 highest-paid tight ends in the NFL make an average of $12 million per year. The top five make $13 million or more. By waiting, Jacksonville would need to give Strange a contract in that range, but may not have to if they get a deal done right now.
Looking back, it's a good thing that the Jaguars didn't go on a spending spree in free agency, so after extending Travon Walker, they can easily continue with Brenton Strange.