Jacksonville Jaguars
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A former Jaguars player joined the Detroit Lions
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been quiet this offseason as the team could not afford to make any splash signings as a direct result of their salary cap situation.
Unfortunately, the primary headlines surrounding the Jaguars this offseason were the departures of All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd, whosigned a three-year, $42 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, andrunning back Travis Etienne, who signed a four-year, $48 millioncontract with the New Orleans Saints.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville has only signed one player who was on a different team last season and that was former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez.Rodriguez signed a two-year, $10 million contract worth up to $12 million, and he will potentially serve as Etienne’s replacement in the run game alongside fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten.
Now, a former Jaguars fourth-round pick has found a new team in free agency.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Lineman Signs With Detroit
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that former Jaguars 2020 fourth-round pick Ben Bartch had signed with the Detroit Lions.
Bartch played four years with the Jaguars after being drafted and signing his four-year, $4 million rookie contract. He appeared in 41 games in that span and started 20 games for the Jaguars. He started a career-high 11 games for the Jaguars during the 2021 season. That season Bartch had a respectable 62.1 overall grade by Pro Football Focus.
Bartch then became the team’s starting left guard in the 2022 season, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury after five games. He returned as a starter for the 2023 season, but he had a below-average performance as a pass blocker which resulted in him being waived during the season.
After being waived, Bartch signed with the practice squad, but was then claimed by the San Francisco 49ers. Bartch spent the next two and a half seasons with the 49ers, primarily as a depth piece on the offensive line as he appeared in 14 games. Now, the former Jaguars fourth-round pick will compete for a spot on the Detroit Lions offensive line.
Jaguars’ Jake Bobo Pursuit
The Jaguars tried to make their second free agent addition this offseason as they signed wide receiver Jake Bobo to a two-year, $5.5 million offer sheet. Since Bobo was a restricted free agent, the Seattle Seahawks had the right to match Bobo’s offer and retain him. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, the Seahawks did just that and re-signed their receiver.
While the Jaguars have strong options at the wide receiver position, Bobo would have given them a superior blocker at the position and a strong special teams player.
Regarding the Seahawks matching Jacksonville’s offer,Bobo said,“I didn’t want to go anywhere else. Obviously, it looked like there was a shot I was going to end up in Jacksonville, but in the back of my mind, I was hoping the guys upstairs would make something happen, and they did,” Bobo added, “I was incredibly thankful for that. I knew where I wanted to be, I knew where home was, and I’m definitely glad it worked out.”