The Jacksonville Jaguars weren't particularly active in free agency, opting to bolster their depth rather than making splash signings. Then again, they didn't have to make significant changes after making the playoffs in 2022. Instead, they prioritized keeping last year's core together.
But make no mistake, the Jaguars did make a handful of key additions in the offseason. It's just that not all of them were on the roster. With that in mind, here are their most important arrivals in the past six months.
No. 4 most important Jaguars arrival in 2023: Nick Holz, passing game coordinator
Great head coaches know when and how to delegate. Doug Pederson was pretty good at it last year. He knew he couldn't work with every single player, so he leaned on his assistant to help him manage the team. In particular, he trusted Jim Bob Cooter to coordinate the passing game and he did such a good job that the Indianapolis Colts offered him a coordinator position.
The Jaguars didn't need to replace Bob Cooter but they did and they found the best possible candidate for the position, Nick Holz, who was the offensive coordinator at UNLV in 2022. Before that, Holz had several roles with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2012-2021.
While Holz's resume doesn't particularly make waves, it's possible that the top brass brought him with the expectation of having a bigger role in the future. After all, if the Jaguars keep winning in 2023, other clubs will continue to poach Pederson's staff, and Holz could be the next in line for a promotion.
No. 3 most important Jaguars arrival in 2023: Chad Hall, WRs coach
Not making a bigger effort (at least publicly) to keep wide receiver coach Chris Jackson wasn't a popular move. After all, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones enjoyed career seasons in their first year under Jackson's tutelage. Moreover, he made a lateral move (he first denied it) and got the same position with the Texas Longhorns.
Having said that, letting Jackson leave might have been a blessing in disguise as the Jaguars hired Chad Hall to take his place. A former NFL receiver, Hall met Doug Pederson during his playing days with the Philadelphia Eagles.
At the time, Pederson was a quality control coach and later got promoted to quarterbacks coach. Once he hung up the cleats, Hall was an assistant and later the receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills and you will have a hard time finding any of his players saying negative things about him. Quite the contrary.
In fact, there's a theory making the rounds that wide receiver Stefon Diggs isn't pleased the Bills didn't keep Hall around his departure is the reason he missed several offseason practices. Whether those rumors are true or not, Hall has made his presence felt during the Jaguars' mandatory workouts.
Jaguars WR coach Chad Hall working on some hand techniques with Calvin Ridley. pic.twitter.com/pfATtcUNm7
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) June 13, 2023
While you want continuity and carryover from one year to another, good teams are bound to lose coordinators. However, the Jaguars are in good shape despite losing Jackson and that's because they brought in Hall.
With Hall coaching the receivers, expect Kirk and Jones to pick up where they left off last year. Similarly, Calvin Ridley should have no trouble getting back on track after missing the 2022 season.
No. 2 most important Jaguars arrival in 2023: Anton Harrison, RT
The thing about making plans is things can change for a myriad of reasons. For instance, the Jaguars gave left tackle Cam Robinson a three-year deal worth $54 million last offseason because they believed he was going to be a long-term pillar on the offensive line.
However, they probably didn't expect the Alabama product to get suspended for violations to the league's performance-enhancing drug policy earlier this year but that's precisely what ended up happening.
With Robinson now set to miss games while he serves the suspension, the top brass had to replenish the offensive line. The good news was that they already had Walker Little in the fold and he's previously shown starting potential, so plugging him at left tackle seems like the best course of action. On the other hand, if Robinson hadn't violated the PED policy, Little could have taken Jawaan Taylor's place at right tackle after leaving in free agency.
Having to replace Robinson on the left side, Little wasn't a viable option at right tackle. This led Jacksonville to select Anton Harrison in the first round of this year's draft. Although Harrison mostly lined up at left tackle at Oklahoma, he'll be making a switch to the right side in the NFL.
The Jaguars believe Harrison can make the switch and having offensive line coach Phil Rauscher should help immensely. The Washington D.C. native will probably experience a few bumps and bruises as a rookie but he's got the potential to become a long-term fixture on the right side of the Jaguars' offensive line, and if he does, letting Taylor walk in free agency will have been a pretty smart move.
No. 1 most important Jaguars arrival in 2023: Calvin Ridley, WR
You can point out that the Jaguars traded for wide receiver Calvin Ridley before last year's deadline so he wasn't an arrival this offseason. Technically, you're right. However, he wasn't able to join the team or have contact with the coaching staff because he was serving an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games. Once his suspension was lifted in March, he officially met with the team's brass and his teammates. Think of it as a tomato-tomato kind of situation.
Whether Ridley joined the Jags last year or this offseason, he has been heavily involved in team activities and has already made a strong impression. While it's hard to assess players during OTAs, the Alabama product stood out because of his intensity and his top athleticism. Even though he hasn't played a snap in more than a year, he's already been discussed as one of the top receivers in the league by his peers and analysts alike.
While it might sound like hyperbole, it feels like Ridley could help Lawrence get his game to the next level. Similarly, he could be the missing piece in the Jaguars' Super Bowl puzzle. When you think of difference-makers, the Florida native quickly comes to mind. Again, he last played in 2021 and he did so with a broken foot. Now healthy, both mentally and physically, he's ready to regain his place as one of the top receivers in the league.
The bottom line is that Ridley is hungry and he'll help the Jaguars keep up with other AFC South powerhouses such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills. Don't be surprised if Ridley is the reason the Jags win a few close games in the regular season... and in the playoffs.