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2024 Jaguars free agency tracker: A running table of the team's moves
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- 2024 Jaguars free agency tracker: A running table of the team's moves
NFL free agency is nearly underway and the Jacksonville Jaguars have already made a slew of moves ahead of the new league year to better their team.
The NFL's new league year begins Wednesday, March 13, at 4 p.m. However, the league's negotiating period for free agents begins today, March 11, at noon.
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As of the writing of this post, the Jaguars have about $14,079,246 in effective cap space to utilize, according to OverTheCap . That is the salary cap space the team has at its disposal after the required rookie pool is allotted for.
With that said, we will provide you with information regarding each of the team's moves. This page will be updated as the moves are reported over the next couple of days.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson is greeted by linebacker Josh Allen (41) as he leaves the field after Saturday night's victory over the Chargers. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Los Angeles Chargers in their first round playoff game Saturday, January 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars trailed 27 to 7 at the half but came back to win the game 31 to 30. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
2024 Jaguars free agency primer: NFL kicks off new league year. What you need to know.
Caleb Johnson re-signs with the Jaguars after all
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) stretches Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) stretches during an organized team activity Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Though a report earlier this week by NFL Media's Tom Peliserro indicated that linebacker Caleb Johnson would not be returning to Jacksonville, the Jaguars came to a contract agreement with Johnson just ahead of the new league year on Wednesday, the team announced.
Johnson's retention gives the team value on special teams as one of the team's aces the past couple of seasons. He originally was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears before the 2022 season and was expected to become a restricted free agent at the start of the new league year.
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Johnson has appeared in all 34 games for Jacksonville, giving the team a reliable backup linebacker. Johnson has played roughly 65% of the team's special teams snaps over the last two seasons.
Jaguars bring back running back D'Ernest Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (25) rushes for yards as Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) looks to tackle as Panthers linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos (97), back, can’t make a tackle and Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) looks on during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing one of their own home and, it's not wide receiver Calvin Ridley just yet.
According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jaguars are bringing back running back D'Ernest Johnson on a one-year deal. Johnson signed with the Jaguars last offseason as one of their few free-agency signings in 2023 .
Johnson, 28, played in all 17 games last year for the Jaguars in a reserve role. He totaled 41 carries for 108 yards. He added 10 receptions for 140 yards. Johnson also played special teams, participating in 32% of the snaps on that unit.
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Jaguars pluck from Ravens again, reportedly set to sign CB Ronald Darby
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby (28) reacts after being called for a foul during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
According to a report from Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, the Jaguars have agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby . The deal is worth up to $10 million over two years.
Darby, 30, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida State, spending the first two years of his career there before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2017 season. Darby has played for five teams in his career, including the Bills, Eagles (2017-19), Washington (2020), Denver Broncos (2021-22) and the Ravens (2023).
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In nine years, Darby has started 95 games, playing in 2015. He has dealt with injuries throughout his career, tearing his ACL late in the season in 2018 and again in 2022 with the Broncos.
Still, when healthy, Darby has been productive and has the tools to play both inside and outside. He's accounted for 401 total tackles, 97 pass breakups and eight interceptions thus far in his career.
Jaguars to sign return specialist Devin Duvernay
Baltimore Ravens' Devin Duvernay (13) celebrates after recovering a bobbled punt by the Cleveland Browns during the second half on an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
For now, the Jaguars are set to sign former Baltimore Ravens return specialist and receiver Devin Duvernay , which likely spells the end of the Jamal Agnew era in Jacksonville. Duvernay was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Ravens and will be making up to $12.5 million over two years in Jacksonville.
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As a return specialist, Duvernay has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, once in 2020 and again in 2022. He averages 24.8 yards per kick return and averages 12.8 yards per punt return. In 2021, Duvernay led the league in yards per punt return at 13.8.
Former Broncos kicker Wil Lutz will not ink three-year deal with Jaguars
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Update:The Jaguars and Wil Lutz were ultimately unable to agree to terms on a deal after all, and the veteran kicker will return to the Broncos on a two-year deal.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick the tires on a player who is used to kicking, reportedly agreeing to terms with former Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz . According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Lutz will sign a three-year deal with the team at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m.
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Lutz began his career playing six years with the New Orleans Saints , making the Pro Bowl in 2019. He has converted 85.2% of his kicks in his career and has made 97.2% of his extra points. Lutz has a big leg, converting 20 out of 34 of his field goals from 50-plus yards in his career. He converted three out of five of his 50-plus-yard field goals in 2023.
Jaguars reportedly will sign former Packers safety Darnell Savage
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 10: Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Jaguars have agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage on a three-year deal, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport .
Savage, 26, was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team that season and has started 69 games over the last four games, playing in 72.
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Savage has accounted for 302 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine interceptions and 32 pass breakups. Last year, Savage accounted for 51 total tackles and one pass breakup in 10 games. Savage dealt with multiple injuries last year, including a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve, mission Weeks 8-12 and a shoulder injury suffered in Week 13, missing seven total games.
Former Bills WR Gabe Davis set to sign with Jaguars
Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis (13) catches the ball and scores a touchdown with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) defending during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
According to multiple reports , the Jaguars will add wide receiver Gabriel Davis to their roster when the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m.
Davis is set to earn $39 million over three years with $11 million due at signing. Davis can earn up to $50 million.
Jaguars, OL Blake Hance agree to contract extension
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Blake Hance (73) played in all 17 games last season. He was cut on Aug. 27 and brought back to the practice squad on Aug. 29.
The Jaguars announced Monday morning that the team has signed offensive lineman Blake Hance to a contract extension. Hance was set to be a restricted free agent at the start of the new league year.
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Hance originally joined the team in 2019 but left for a couple of years before returning in 2022. Hance has appeared in 50 games in his pro career, including all 17 games last season for Jacksonville.
Jaguars set to sign center Mitch Morse
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with center Mitch Morse (60) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
The Jaguars are set to sign a veteran center , agreeing to terms with former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse, according to a report by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo. Morse brings nine years of starting experience to the team, pushing third-year center Luke Fortner .
Return of the Mac: Former Pats QB Mac Jones headed to Jaguars via trade
Jan 2, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Ahead of free agency this week, the Jaguars made a move to re-shape their quarterback room, reportedly agreeing to terms on a trade for former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Jones will compete with backup QB C.J. Beathard .
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In three seasons with the Patriots, Jones passed for 8,918 yards and 46 touchdowns while throwing 36 interceptions and completing 66.1 percent of his passes.
Brandon Scherff reworks contract, saves Jaguars around $5 million
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff (68) looks on from the sideline during the second quarter an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans 34-14. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
According to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jaguars and veteran guard Brandon Scherff agreed to terms on a restructured contract that will save the team at least $5 million against their salary cap.
The restructure will add three voidable years to his deal.
Linebacker Caleb Johnson reportedly won't return with Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) celebrates a tackle on the opening kickoff of Sunday's game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 17 to 0 at the end of the first half. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Though the team has retained a couple of their expected free agents, one won't return after it was reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero that linebacker Caleb Johnson and the team couldn't agree on a contract extension.
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Johnson was set to be a restricted free agent and was one of the team's best special teams players. The team will not tender him.
Ezra Cleveland returns, Jaguars extend veteran guard
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ezra Cleveland (76) in action during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
The Jaguars officially extended guard Ezra Cleveland's contract. Cleveland will remain with the team a bit longer after signing a reported three-year contract extension.
According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio , Cleveland's deal is worth a maximum of $27.5 million with $14.25 million fully guaranteed at signing. The contract holds a base value of $24 million.
Cleveland was acquired by the Jaguars via trade, sending a sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for the former second-round selection ahead of the trade deadline.
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Daniel Thomas, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter sign contract extensions
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) celebrates his open field tackle on a kickoff return with linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (50) during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars are retaining a couple of their free agents , including safety Daniel Thomas, one of the team's standout special teams players. Thomas was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Thomas' two-year deal is reportedly worth $4 million and can be as much as $6 million.
The team also extended defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, who was set to be an exclusive-rights free agent. Ledbetter has been with the team in some capacity since 2021.
Jaguars place franchise tag on OLB Josh Allen ahead of free agency
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is sacked by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) and as linebacker Josh Allen (41) looks on during the second quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The team's top priority this offseason and likely biggest breadwinner this year, outside linebacker Josh Allen, will not be a free agent this year .
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The Jaguars tendered the franchise tag on Allen ahead of the deadline on March 5.
He will return to Jacksonville next year making at least $24 million if the team cannot come to terms on a contract extension agreement.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars free agency: What moves have they made in 2024 so far?
