JACKSONVILLE – Some unofficial news became official Wednesday.
A.J. Bouye, a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Jaguars in 2017 and starter the past three seasons, was traded to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The trade reportedly was agreed upon last week, becoming official when the NFL's 2020 League Year began Wednesday at 4 p.m.
"We respect and appreciate everything that A.J. did for the Jaguars during his three seasons with us," Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell said in a statement. "A.J.'s support of cancer awareness and his work with local families had a profound impact on our community, and we wish him the best moving forward."
Bouye, who will enter his eighth NFL season in 2020, made the Pro Bowl in 2017 – his first season with the Jaguars after signing as an unrestricted free agent from the Houston Texans.
Bouye, who started 43 games for the Jaguars in three seasons, registered eight interceptions during that span – including a team-high six in 2017, when he was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection. He started 14 games with one interception this past season.
Bouye's trade leaves the Jaguars with four cornerbacks on the active roster: 2019 starter Tre Herndon, nickel corner D.J. Hayden, Parry Nickerson, Brandon Watson.
Bouye to Denver was the lone trade the Jaguars announced Wednesday, though other free agency-related moves – and trades – have been reported by other media outlets. Under NFL rules, teams may not announce trades or free-agent signings until a team has executed a contract with the player.
Contracts are typically not executed until completion of a physical examination, and many physical exams around the league have been delayed because of the NFL's rules designed to mitigate risks of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
