Jacksonville Jaguars free agency tracker: Signings trades & live updates

The tempering period of free agency has begun and the Jacksonville Jaguars don't want to miss out on the fun. Already, they've made several moves but more could come in the upcoming days. The biggest one would be re-signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

While Jacksonville has made it clear they want Ridley back, they won't be the only team making a bid for him. The Tennessee Titans, the New England Patriots, and the Carolina Panthers will pursue him in free agency, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

But as costly as it may be, the Jaguars are still considering making a run for Ridley, even after inking Gabe Davis to a three-year deal.

Also, the Jags have to add a starting cornerback and bolster their pass-rush rotation. It's unclear if they'll do it in free agency but they'll most definitely have options to address both needs. For the time being, here's a look at the players they signed, re-signed, and released ahead of free agency.

Tagged Jaguars players

• Josh Allen, outside linebacker. Josh Allen is coming off a career year but the Jaguars couldn't strike a long-term deal with him with free agency looming, so they chose to apply the franchise tag on him. Under the tag, Allen will count $24 million against the cap next season, but the amount could be reduced considerably if they get a multi-year extension done.

Contract talks have been positive, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, so expect a deal done sooner rather than later.

Jaguars free agent signings

• Gabe Davis, receiver (3-year worth $39 M) - The Jaguars got a speedster in Gabe Davis, who averaged 16.7 yards per catch during his four-year stint with the Buffalo Bills. His arrival may indicate that either the Jaguars are open to losing Calvin Ridley or Zay Jones could be released. Either way, Davis gives Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' offense a deep threat.

• Mitch Morse, center (2-year deal worth $10.5 M) - Center was arguably the Jaguars' biggest need ahead of free agency, and they took care of it by inking veteran Mitch Morse before the tampering window started.

Morse, a second-round pick in 2015, played four seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs for four years before joining the Buffalo Bills in 2019. Last year, he gave up just one sack on 730 pass-blocking snaps. He'll most likely replace Luke Fortner in the starting lineup.

• Darnell Savage, safety (3-year deal, expected to get an annual average of around $7 M). Releasing Rayshawn Jenkins created a void at safety next to Andre Cisco. Darnell Savage could fill it or provide depth in case they move sophomore Antonio Johnson back to safety, his natural position.

WIl Lutz, kicker (3-year, undisclosed) - The Jaguars may not have been pleased with Brandon McManus toward the end of the 2023 season, so they brought in fellow kicker and former Bronco Wil Lutz.

Update. Mike Klis of 9NEWS reports that Lutz is staying with the Broncos.

• Devin Duvernay (2-year deal, $8.5 M base) - Devin Duvernay is one of the top returners in the league. His arrival may signal that the Jaguars are ready to move on from Jamal Agnew.

Arik Armstead, three-year deal worth $51 M - the Jags get a massive upgrade on the interior defensive line.

Trades

The Jaguars sent a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Mac Jones. A second-round pick in 2021, he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie but regressed the past two years. In Jacksonville, he'll compete for the backup job behind Trevor Lawrence, who's firmly entrenched as the starter.

Re-signings

• Ezra Cleveland, left guard (3-year deal worth $24 million) - The Jaguars traded for Ezra Cleveland last year at the deadline but he struggled with injuries. Having a full offseason to grasp the system and get healthier should help him perform much better in 2023.

• Jeremiah Ledbetter, defensive end (undisclosed) - The Jaguars signed Jeremiah Ledbetter to their practice squad when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him in 2022. He eventually got promoted to the active roster that year and was an important piece of the defensive line rotation last year.

• Daniel Thomas, safety (undisclosed) - A fifth-round pick by the Jags in 2022, Daniel Thomas has carved a niche on special teams. He can also step in and start if called upon. With Thomas coming back, the odds of Jacksonville making a move at safety in free agency decrease.

• Blake Hance, offensive lineman (undisclosed) - Blake Hance spent time with the Jaguars in 2019 and returned for a second stint in 2022. Last year, he was pressed into action and even started one game when injuries depleted the offensive line. He gives the Jags a depth piece that can line up at multiple spots up front.

Players the Jaguars have released in the 2024 offseason

The Jags have released the following players:

• Darious Williams, CB - Williams met with the Giants before the start of free agency
• Folorunso Fatukasi, DT - Fatukasi is signing a one-year deal with the Texans
• Rayshawn Jenkins, S - Jenkins has a scheduled visit with the 49ers and Seahawks (he signed with the Seahawks).

Jaguars free agents who signed with new teams:

Unsigned free agents

• Brandon McManus, K (Signing a one-year deal with the Commanders)
• K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB
• Dawuane Smoot, DE
• Jamal Agnew, RS
• Tyler Shatley, OL
• Tre Herndon, CB
• D'Ernest Johnson, RB (returning to the Jaguars on a one-year deal)
• Angelo Blackson, DT
• Matt Barkey, QB
• Saquille Quarterman, LB
• Chris Claybrooks, CB
• Jaylen Moore, WR
• Caleb Johnson, LB (re-signing with the Jags)

Here are more stories from Black & Teal: