The Jacksonville Jaguars signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Reggie Hayward to a contract today. The fifth-year veteran had spent the previous four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Hayward and Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday morning at ALLTEL Stadium.

Hayward, 25, played in all 16 games starting 15 last season including a start in the AFC Wild-card game against Indianapolis. He led the Broncos with 10.5 sacks and finished with 60 tackles (45 solo), one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the regular season and registered two tackles and one sack in the postseason.

The 6-5, 270-pounder was originally a third round draft choice of the Broncos in 2001 out of Iowa State. He has played in 47 games with 20 career starts. He finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks in 2003 with only two starts.

The Jaguars now have 64 players under contract.