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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Jacksonville Jaguars went 13-4 last year, winning just their third-ever AFC South title and first since 2022.
It was the franchise's highest win total since 1999 and their first playoff appearance in three years. Yet, instead of going all in this past offseason, they let everyone walk.
On Monday, The Athletic's Mike Jones blasted GM James Gladstone for the team's "unconventional" offseason approach. Notably, he pointed to the team watching running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devin Lloyd, cornerback Greg Newsome II, and longtime safety Andrew Wingard all sign elsewhere in free agency. That's four key starters from a unit that just helped deliver the franchise's best season in years.
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The Etienne loss, in particular, stings because he was Trevor Lawrence's partner in crime since their college days at Clemson and was coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He posted 1,107 rushing yards, 292 receiving yards, and a career-high 13 total touchdowns.
Worse yet, the Jaguars didn't add a single running back to replace him in the draft and only signed veteran backups Ameer Abdullah and Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency. They've still got Bhayshul Tuten, last year's fourth-round pick, but that's a lot to ask of a second-year RB who produced just 307 rushing yards last season.
Meanwhile, Lloyd, Jacksonville's former first-round pick in 2022, also enjoyed a career year, recording 81 total tackles, a career-high five interceptions, and a fumble recovery, and is hitting his prime at age 27. Yet, he signed with the Panthers instead.
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Most draft analysts were also underwhelmed by Jacksonville's draft class. Tight end Nate Boerkircher was their first pick off the board at No. 56 overall. Yet, with limited production across a five-year college career, he was expected to go much later in the draft, most projecting around Round 4 or 5.
Maryland safety Jalen Huskey was pegged as a sixth- or seventh-round pick, yet the Jaguars felt confident enough to pick him up in the third round.
All of this together has led many to question whether the Jags can realistically repeat as AFC South champions. The Houston Texans still have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans are bringing in an entirely new offense to build around Cam Ward. And the Indianapolis Colts remain a dark-horse threat with Jonathan Taylor and a healthy Daniel Jones.
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