JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Fred from Naples, FL

Unfortunately, it wasn't always the Jags. Congrats to Dewey Wingard for getting a good deal with the Arizona Cardinals. He was a fan favorite and "outkicked his punt coverage" in terms of his abilities.

It speaks to the popularity and career story of former Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard that his signing with the Arizona Cardinals this week as an unrestricted free agent brought real emotion from Jaguars fans. And with good reason. Wingard played seven seasons with the Jaguars after originally signing as a collegiate free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a front-line special teams player who worked his way into a starting role in the last few seasons. He never thought of himself as a marginal player or an undrafted player – and his play verified his confidence in himself. He made multiple memorable plays during his Jaguars career, and he also was a locker room leader who famously coined the rallying cry "It Was Always the Jags" during the team's dramatic, memorable run to the 2022 AFC South Championship. The Jaguars have had many players throughout their 31 seasons, but how many have coined such a memorable rallying cry? How many have worked their way into such a productive career from such humble beginnings? How many have endeared themselves to fans to this level? Very, very few. It's impressive stuff and it's the reason Wingard deservedly will have a deserved place in this team's history.

James from Titusville, NJ

I'm all for a quiet first wave of free agency. However, while we break our arms patting ourselves on the back, I do wonder if this regime will take this same approach when cap space becomes available, or will the team "be aggressive?" Time will tell.

I expect this decision-making regime will take a measured approach to free agency and salaries with an eye on long-term stability no matter what their level of salary cap space. I think there will be circumstances on occasion when they are aggressive. I don't expect they will be ridiculously aggressive and I sense they won't be as aggressive as many fans desire.

Jadon from Raleigh, NC

Jaguars General Manager Gladstone and former Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke could not be more different. Gladstone has re-signed three undrafted free agent-type guys and a seventh-rounder, and allowed two first-round picks to walk. Baalke would never do that because it may make him "look bad." Gladstone's just worried about making savvy moves and improving this team. Let's go.

Gladstone and Baalke are very different.

Mike from Daytona Beach, FL

Big O, on your Ten Things list this past season, you repeatedly listed "run" and "be physical" as your top two keys to winning an upcoming game. Likewise, at his press conference after the week 17 six-point win over the Indianapolis Colts, Head Coach Liam Coen said: "I would like to be able to close the game out on our terms offensively. For us to take the necessary steps offensively, we have got to be able to gain a frickin'g yard!" Apparently, you and coach are on the same page. Consistently running the ball well when the defense expects it requires both a tough physical interior offensive line to reestablish the line of scrimmage and a powerful running back who can get the tough yards after contact. Newly-acquired free agent Chris Rodriguez appears to fit the running back requirement. In 2025, Rodriguez ranked 20th in the NFL in yards per attempt as well as eighth in yards after contact per attempt (with no fumbles). So far, one fer signing Chris Rodriguez!

The Jaguars under Coen absolutely believe they must run and be physical to win. They improved in this area in 2025. They want to improve a lot more in 2026 and they believe they will do so. Rodriguez's style is one reason.

Nelson from St Augustine, FL

It was always Dewey. Hate to see Wingard go but wish him the best in Arizona. I enjoyed his energy here in Jacksonville.

One fer Dewey.

Bryan from Tampa, FL

Do we know if the Jags are on track to be in a better salary cap position next season, or is that sort of thing too early to project? It seems this season we are too strapped to even fill holes with reasonably priced veterans.

It's early to project, but the Jaguars are currently projected to have $53 million in salary cap space in 2027. The Jaguars have relatively limited cap space in 2026. I expect they will fill some holes with reasonably priced veterans in the coming weeks.

Joe from Batavia, IL

John, you covered the topic of the fifth-year option guaranteeing the fourth and fifth years of a player's salary, but could you also remind us of the timing? Picking up the fifth-year option for Devin Lloyd wasn't a plausible option in March of 2026 - when did the window to complete that action close?

The Jaguars' window to place the fifth-year option on linebacker Devin Lloyd closed last offseason. Teams can exercise fifth-year options on former first-round selections from the end of the player's third NFL season until May 1 before the player's fourth season.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

Knowing the decisions that the Jaguars will have to make regarding some of our core players starting next year, I'm happy with what I'm seeing so far. We're not doing the things that left us having to restructure contracts just to get under the cap. If we can continue to be this disciplined throughout the offseason, then we should be in a place that if we have a desperate need at a position before the trade deadline, we can put ourselves in position to make said trade. I understand some fans' desire for big things in March, but I'd much rather be watching good things happen in December and January.

When it comes to roster-building and roster management, I expect discipline to be the watchword for the Jaguars for the foreseeable future. Finally.

John from Cape May Court House

Maybe, just maybe, the Jags decided not to resign Etienne and Lloyd because they know they have to sign Washington, Strange, Johnson, and possibly Walker. Just thought. That is all, as you were.

Maybe.

Drew from Buford

So after not resigning ETN and Lloyd, where does that put the Jags vs the cap? And at this point, it looks like we could have potentially afforded to resign them. Since we haven't really been able to make a move to replace them, what options to the Jags have in front of them to use this freed up cap space, since now, many of the better available players have signed?

The Jaguars could have afforded to re-sign running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Devin Lloyd. They also could have afforded to sign players on top of those re-signings. Had they done this, they would have had significantly more trouble signing some very valuable players. The Jaguars will "replace" the players lost in free agency through various means – free agency, the draft and by players already on the roster. I don't anticipate the Jaguars specifically using their "freed-up" cap space to larger specific replacements this offseason.

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. Again, we as humans (fans) tend to remember the negative more than the positive. But having stated that, it certainly seems as if the Jags have been burned in Free Agency over the history of the franchise as opposed to home runs. While we may have a Free Agency net loss this year, and not make any splashy acquisitions, I believe it's partially offset by a major reduction in the inherent risk of the Free Agency Sweepstakes, not pushing the Cap situation, and with a team coming off a big time winning season. Do you believe we can pick up the net Free Agency loss (if you believe that's the case) in the draft? Despite no first round pick?

I think the Jaguars' net free-agency losses are likely being overblown and the Jaguars won't have nearly as much trouble making up for those losses in free agency and the draft.

Craig from Holly Springs, NC

John, I think fans need to keep things in perpective regarding free agency: Quiet offseasons are what stable, good organizations typically have. Big, splash free agency signings usually do not bode well for the long term. How the Jaguars are acting are how good organizations act. Secondly, not re-signing Lloyd and ETN are good decisions in my opinion. These are non-premium positions being paid top dollar, where you can find replacements in the middle rounds of the draft every year. My opinion is, this is a job well done all around by the Jags organization thus far.

Yep.