3 Jaguars contract extensions that require immediate attention
The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of managing the cap. They were able to make several important moves in free agency without having to mortgage their future. Granted, they had to move from a few players to free up space, but that's the nature of business.
With free agency in the books, the Jaguars are turning their attention to the draft. However, they also need to start planning ahead if they still want to be in good cap shape. A handful of players are eligible for extensions and giving them long-term deals will ensure Jacksonville doesn't face financial constraints in future years. In particular, the front office should prioritize the following three extensions.
3. Andre Cisco, safety
General manager Trent Baalke found a handful of key contributors in the 2021 draft, even if you leave aside Trevor Lawrence. In fact, you could make the case that it's the best class he's overseen since he began to lead the Jaguars front office. In total, Baalke made nine picks, and safety Andre Cisco is probably the one that has had the biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball the past three years.
Cisco was a rising star at Syracuse, registering 13 interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 24 games. He was on his way to becoming a surefire first-round pick, but two games into the 2020 season, he tore his ACL. Add the fact that he suffered a lower leg injury the year prior and it's easy to see why he entered the draft with medical red flags.
Not surprisingly, Cisco fell to the third round. The Jags took a flyer on him and had him redshirt his rookie season. He spent most of 2021 on the sidelines but once he was given a chance, he made the most out of it.
After flashing potential, Cisco entered the 2022 season as a starter. He quickly showed he was still the same ballhawks he was for the Orangeman, registering three interceptions and five passes defensed. He followed that up with four picks and five pass deflections last year. The New York, Queens native is now entering a contract year, and it would be a good idea to give him an extension before the market keeps going up.
Just recently, fellow safety Kyle Dugger got a four-year deal worth $58 million with a max value of $66 million. That could be the potential baseline in negotiations between the Jaguars and Cisco, so the sooner they get a contract done, the better.