The Jacksonville Jaguars went 13 games and won the AFC South in 2025, so the expectation was that they were going to load up on talent in the offseason. However, the Jags surprised everyone when they opted not to make a splash, choosing instead to focus on re-signing their homegrown talent.
Then, the draft came, and general manager James Gladstone defied convention when he chose to ignore the consensus big board and instead focus on using his own process to select players. Not surprisingly, Jacksonville got poor reviews for its offseason strategy.
That said, the Jaguars made several underrated moves that could ultimately spark a deep playoff run. With this in mind, here's a ranking of their five best moves in the offseason.
5. Letting Devin Lloyd sign a 3-year deal with the Panthers
The Jaguars needed linebacker help in 2022, so they got rave reviews for drafting Devin Lloyd 27th overall that year. However, the former Utah Ute struggled with the transition to the NFL and was eventually benched as a rookie. Although he was more consistent the next two seasons, he wasn't a game-changer. Understandably, Jacksonville declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
That might've been the motivation Lloyd needed as he went on to have a banner season, registering a team-best five interceptions and showing notable improvement in coverage. However, the Jags chose not to extend him and instead let him sign a three-year deal worth $45 million with the Carolina Panthers.
Leaving aside that Lloyd was underwhelming in 2025, the Jaguars weren't going to pay a premium for him and instead are confident that Ventrell Miller can pick up the slack.
Maybe Miller can take a leap just like Lloyd did last year.
4. Giving Brenton Strange a 3-year, $46 million deal to stay with the Jaguars
The Jaguars stunned everyone when they released Evan Engram in 2025 to pave the way for Brenton Strange. The decision raised eyebrows because Engram was coming off an injury-riddled season but had posted huge numbers in 2022 and 2023. However, Strange made enough of an impression during his absence to become TE1.
It's worth noting that the former Penn State Nittany Lion was also a much better blocker. Right off the bat, he made an impact, setting the tone on offense and posting career numbers in his first season as the starter.
Rightly, the Jags made him a priority to re-sign him. They struck a deal that originally was reported as a three-year pact worth $48 million, but in reality was ·$36 million. However you look at it, that's a pretty good deal, one that ensures a key contributor remains in Duval for the foreseeable future.
3. Drafting Emmanuel Pregnon in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Jaguars weren't in immediate need of help in the offensive trenches, but they couldn't pass up the chance to take Emmanuel Pregnon when he slid to the third round of the 2026 draft. Projected to go late in the first or early in the second, the former Oregon was dubbed the steal of Round 3.
Pregnon was a mauler at college, and he's got all the traits to develop into a starting guard in the NFL. He may not start come Week 1, but it may be a matter of time before he becomes a staple of the Jacksonville offensive line.
2. Replacing Travis Etienne with Chris Rodriguez
Travis Etienne missed his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury but went on to become a staple of the offense, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three of the last four years. But as good as he was, the Jaguars chose to let him sign with the New Orleans Saints in free agency, and it's easy to see why.
Etienne's big-play rate was below the league's average, and he struggled to gain the tough yards in short-yardage situations. To replace him, Jacksonville signed Chris Rodriguez, who racked up 500 yards on 112 carries last year.
Rodriguez's production doesn't pop off the stat sheet, but advanced metrics show that he's much better than his traditional stats suggest. He should give the running game a massive boost next season.
1. Hiring Brian Picucci to serve as the Jaguars run game coordinator
The Jaguars did a good job of running the football early in 2025 but struggled as the season progressed, especially in short-yardage situations. Part of the issue stemmed from injuries across the offensive line, so being healthy will certainly help. On the other hand, Liam Coen knew more was needed, so he hired long-time collaborator Brian Picucci to be the run game coordinator.
Coen knows Picucci from his days as a quarterback at UMass, and his former coach has followed him at different spots throughout his coaching career. Jacksonville is the latest.
When the two were together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, they oversaw one of the best running attacks in the NFL, and the expectation is that Picucci will play a pivotal role in fixing what was the team's stink in 2025.
Add us as a preferred source on Google