You should always expect the unexpected when it comes to the NFL, and there's no doubt that the Mitch Morse retirement news caught a few people by surprise. Now, the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to add a starting center to their list of offseason needs.
The Jags announced on their official website and social media that Morse is calling it quits.
.@mithenmor60 is calling it a career 👏#DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) March 6, 2025
A second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015, Morse is wrapping up a 10-year career. He spent his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and joined the Buffalo Bills in 2019. Following a five-year stint, he joined the Jags on a two-year deal worth $10 million.
At the time of the signing, Morse cited his familiarity with Doug Pederson, his coordinator with the Chiefs as one of the main reasons. Although he battled incumbent Luke Fortner for the starting job at center, Jacksonville brought him with the expectation that he was going to give the position a boost. After all, Fortner had struggled mightly in 2023. The veteran was slated to have a cap hit of $5.4 million in 2025 but his retirement will leave $4.7 million in dead money while freeing up $735,294.
All things considered, Morse played well in his lone season with the Jaguars, giving up three sacks and 14 total pressures. On the other hand, the Jaguars would have needed to replace him sooner rather than later. Aside from having one year left on his contract, he's 33.
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What's next for the Jaguars following Mitch Morse's retirement?
This news didn't likely take the Jacksonville Jaguars by surprise. They must've been in talks with Mitch Morse for weeks, and surely have a plan in place to find his replacement. Working in their favor is that they'll have no shortage of options in free agency and the draft.
Drew Dalman will be the top center in free agency. He's leaving the Atlanta Falcons after four productive seasons. Last year, he was Pro Football Focus' fourth-best center. Signing him won't probably come cheap but would take care of one of the Jags' top needs. On the other hand, the team's brass could wait until the draft to address it.
Jacksonville currently has extra picks in Rounds 3 and 4 in the NFL Draft. They could use one of them to find Morse's replacement. This year's class isn't necessarily stacked at the position, but there should be several intriguing options. Either way, it looks like the offensive trenches will be a point of emphasis for the team's brass in the draft.
Another alternative would be to promote Luke Fortner to the starting lineup but it's hard to tell whether he's improved. Based on how he played in 2023, he doesn't inspire much confidence.
Ultimately, Mitch Morse came and solidified the center position in 2024. The Jaguars would've surely wanted him to stick around for one more year, but his retirement allows them to immediately beef up the interior offensive line.
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