The Jacksonville Jaguars were dealing with a cap crunch in free agency, so they couldn't make as many splash signings as they would have probably wanted. Nevertheless, they're in a favorable position to return to the playoffs and win the AFC South for the second straight year.
Trevor Lawrence showed in 2022 that he can help the Jags win games. Similarly, head coach Doug Pederson did an outstanding job in his first season with the team, leading them to their first winning record since 2017. Having said that, Jacksonville can't rest on their laurels if they want to make a deep playoff run in 2023.
After all, many of the Jaguars' 2023 opponents were busy in free agency, and games that looked relatively easy at the time look considerably tougher now. In particular, these three clubs on the Jags' schedule got better in free agency.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 opponent that got better: Kansas City Chiefs
Just like the Jaguars, the Kansas City Chiefs didn't have to go into a spending spree in free agency. The difference is that the Chiefs won Super Bowl 57 while Jacksonville is coming off their first playoff appearance in five years.
Although Kansas City's inclusion on this list might seem odd, they got better by not re-signing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Basically, the addition-by-subtraction principle. Nobody will doubt Brown's talent but he might have overestimated his market value, which is why the Chiefs let him walk in free agency and poached right tackle Jawaan Taylor from the Jaguars.
Taylor is expected to switch sides in Kansas City and if he succeeds, the Chiefs will have saved money by not keeping Brown. On top of that, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster joined the New England Patriots, but that should pave the way for 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore, who is expected to have a bigger role on offense. The fact that Patrick Mahomes is the kind of quarterback that elevates everyone around him shouldn't hurt either.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 opponent that got better: Houston Texans
The Jaguars were at last able to beat the Houston Texans in 2022. Before their Week 17 matchup last year, Jacksonville had lost nine consecutive games to their division foes. Heading into the 2023 season, sweeping the Texans should be one of their top priorities. However, it won't be a walk in the park as Houston has gotten much better since their last encounter.
Lovie Smith is out and DeMeco Ryans is in as the Texans' head coach but that's not the only reason the Jags may have a hard time disposing of their division rival. Houston made several important additions in free agency and most of them will have a meaningful impact in 2023. Besides re-signing left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a three-year extension, general manager Nick Caserio found several players that could have a big impact and didn't have to overpay for any of them.
Getting tight end Dalton Schultz on a one-year deal worth $9 million was arguably Caserio's best move but that's far from the only good signing he's made this offseason. He also inked Pro Bowl linebacker Denzel Perryman and traded for wide receiver Robert Woods. On top of that, he secured running back David Singleterry at $3.75 million for 2023.
Losing Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys certainly hurts but the Texans' offense looks better even after trading him. Singletary will form a dynamic running back tandem with sophomore Dameon Pierce while Schultz will give whoever starts behind center a huge target in the middle of the field.
Speaking of the quarterback position, Houston holds the second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they will most likely use on either C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) or Bryce Young (Alabama). Once the Texans get their potential quarterback of the future, they'll be able to work their way out of the division cellar.
No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 opponent that got better: New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints had a revolving door at quarterback following the retirement of Drew Brees in 2020. However, they found a bit of stability at the position after signing Derek Carr in the free agency. The fact that the Saints didn't have to trade for the former Fresno Bulldog and instead waited for the Las Vegas Raiders to release him made the addition even better.
Even though Carr has lost his last two games against the Jaguars, he immediately gives the Saints' offense a huge boost after having to lean on a combination of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Andy Dalton last year. Back in Las Vegas, the veteran signal-caller often had to carry the team on his shoulders, something he was not always capable of doing. On the other hand, the Raiders never had a good defense during his nine-year tenure.
Fortunately for Carr, the Saints' defense ranked ninth in points surrendered and fifth in total yards. This is the first time he'll have a defense of that caliber in his career, so it will be interesting to see what he can do without routinely having to play from behind. Having said that, Carr wasn't the only player New Orleans added in free agency. They also bolster their running back room with Jamaal Williams, who led the league in rushing touchdowns with 17 last season.
Also, the Saints brought back tight end Juwan Johnson, whose seven receiving touchdowns led the team last year. General manager Mickey Loomis also reworked Michael Thomas' contract and added Bryan Edwards, who previously caught passes from Carr in Las Vegas.
While the Jaguars look like the better team right now, Carr will try to beat them and put an end to his two-game losing streak.