Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Cardinals signed a former Jacksonville Jaguars safety
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been limited in free agency due to the team being in the bottom 10 in available cap space this offseason.Despite doing some contract restructures, the Jaguars still find themselves $1.1 million over the cap. That has resulted in the Jaguars letting some free agents walk that they may have wanted to re-sign had it been possible.
The team lost two of the top 10 free agents in the NFL in the first week of free agency, asDevin Lloyd signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Panthers andTravis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the Saints. Both of them were among the top contributors to a Jacksonville team that won 13 games last season, and finished with an eight-game winning streak.
Now, the team has also lost a defensive player who started 17 games for the Jaguars last season.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars Safety Signs With Cardinals
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that former Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard had agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract that could be worth up to $4 million.
Wingard appeared in 102 games for the Jaguars during his seven-year stint with the team. He was initially signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2019 season, and after an impressive offseason, he made the Jacksonville 53-man roster. Once his rookie contract ended, Wingard re-signed with the Jaguars on a three-year, $9.6 million contract. Now, after starting 17 games for the Jaguars last season, Wingard has left the team.
Jaguars Sports Illustrated writer John Shipley said of Wingard, “Former UDFA who found out a way to carve out a role with 4 different coaching staffs and 3 different general managers. Is better as a third safety and special teams ace than a starter but he has a lot of snaps under his belt.”
Regarding his role with the Cardinals, Sports Illustrated’s Donnie Druin wrote, “It appears as if Wingard will be a box specialist and rotational piece for a Cardinals secondary that recently lost Jalen Thompson to the Dallas Cowboys.”
Despite starting for a strong Jaguars defense, Wingard wasgraded by Pro Football Focus as a below-average safety as he finished with a 57.3 overall grade during the 2025 season, which ranked him as the 77th-best safety out of 98 qualified players.
Jaguars Additions
While most of the news regarding the Jaguars has been regarding some of their key departures, the team has made additions to the team.The team signed former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguezto a two-year deal worth up to $12 million.
Rodriguez totaled 500 rushing yards on 112 carries during the 2025 season, which marked his most productive season in the NFL.
Perhaps the most important move the Jaguars have made this offseason is retaining one of their own, as the teamre-signed cornerback Montaric Brownto a contract worth up to $33 million.
Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley had previously called Brown the most important free agent on the Jaguars’ roster, over Lloyd and Etienne.He wrote, “Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown is, hands down, the most important player the Jaguars have to retain this offseason. He turned into a solid starter over the last two seasons and is the perfect No. 2 cornerback to accompany Travis Hunter in the secondary. If the Jaguars don’t re-sign him, they will likely need to spend an early draft pick on a cornerback.”