When the Jacksonville Jaguars hired James Gladstone as the general manager last year, he made it clear that they would build through the draft. Fast forward to 2026, and he's stayed true to his word, focusing mostly on re-signing his own players in free agency.
Sure, the Jags inked running back Chris Rodriguez, but that was their only external addition in free agency. And by limiting their spending, they'll be able to take care of their homegrown talent. And after general manager James Gladstone announced that the team will be picking up the fifth-year option on Anton Harrison's rookie deal, he should turn his attention to a member of the 2023 draft class.
In fact, James Gladstone says that the team has already engaged in contract talks with several players, pointing out that they're within striking distance with some, including tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington.
After the Anton Harrison update, the Jaguars must lock up Brenton Strange
With the Jaguars exercising Anton Harrison's option, they'll ensure he'll stay through 2027. Next, they'll need to focus on getting extensions done with some of their other players. Three who are entering contract years should be at the top of the team's priority list: Brenton Strange, safety Antonio Johnson, and Parker Washington.
All three are scheduled to become free agents in 2027, so it would make sense to start locking them up. It would be a good idea to start with Strange, as the offense suffered a steep drop-off when he suffered a hip injury last year that forced him to sit out five contests.
A second-round pick in 2023, Strange was a non-factor as a rookie, catching five passes for 35 yards with no touchdowns. Granted, Evan Engram was TE1 at the time, but if Strange had made an impression, he would've gotten more playing time. Either way, he showed substantial improvement in his sophomore campaign when he filled in for Engram, hauling in 40 receptions for 411 yards with two touchdowns.
With the former Penn State Nittany Lion showing starting potential in 2024, Jacksonville moved on from Engram, who wasn't nearly a good fit in Liam Coen's system because he wasn't nearly as good a blocker. With Engram out of the picture, Strange posted a career-best 46 receptions for 540 yards with three touchdowns. Moreover, his willingness to block provided an element of feistiness that the offense had been missing in past years.
Now, Strange is entering a contract year, and it would be a good idea to get him under contract.
What kind of deal should the Jaguars offer to Brenton Strange?
George Kittle and Trey McBride are currently the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL right now. Their respective contracts pay them an annual average of $19 million or more. Brenton Strange probably won't reach that strata, but he won't be a bargain either.
At least 10 tight ends make more than $12 million per year, and both Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews surpass the $13 million-mark. Perhaps Strange could get a salary in that range, so the Jaguars would be better off getting a deal done before salaries at the position go up.
And that's the thing, the more the Jaguars wait, the more they'll need to have to work out, especially if Brenton Strange picks up where he left off last year. By giving him a new deal as soon as possible, they can take care of other players eligible for contracts.