NFL free agency has already kicked off, but the Jacksonville Jaguars and the rest of the league can not officially sign players to contracts.
Teams will have spent 52 hours scouring the market when the new league year officially opens at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Teams were allowed to speak with representatives for players and can agree to terms on a deal before being able to sign the contracts at the start of the new league year.
For Jacksonville, as of Tuesday afternoon, the team did not have to wait to sign any players who they’ve agreed to terms with. The Jaguars opted to re-sign multiple players who were on the team last season, including: RB DeeJay Dallas, DL Matt Dickerson, LB Dennis Gardeck, CB Montaric Brown, CB Keith Taylor and TE Quintin Morris.
Once the new league year starts, the team will officially lose RB Travis Etienne and LB Devin Lloyd in addition to CB Greg Newsome II, who all will sign deals elsewhere on the open market.
Though it feels like it’s already started, free agency has finally officially begun and teams will look quite different around the league as players churn and out of rosters like never before.
Stay up to date on everything free agency.
How much cap space do the Jacksonville Jaguars have in 2026?
As of Thursday afternoon, the Jaguars have about $1,232,919 in cap space, according to Spotrac.
Jaguars 2026 free agents: On the open market
Unrestricted:
Exclusive rights free agent: WR Joshua Cephus
Jaguars 2026 free agency moves
Here’s what the Jaguars have done up to this point in the free agency cycle.
Jaguars will sign former Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
After having a quiet couple of days of free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars are slated to sign former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. to a two-year deal, a source told the Times-Union.
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the deal will be for $10 million over two years with $6.2 million guaranteed. Rodriguez will have the opportunity to earn up to $12 million with incentives on the deal.
Rodriguez’s commitment comes just an hour after the new league year began at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. He’s the first outside free agent the Jaguars have signed this offseason.
Jaguars CB Greg Newsome II to sign with New York Giants
Newsome, 25, started 11 games for Jacksonville, playing in 12. He totaled 29 tackles (23 solos), six pass breakups and one interception during his stint with the team.
Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd set to sign with Carolina Panthers
Devin Lloyd is set to join the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports. Lloyd will make $45 million over three years, including $25 million guaranteed. Lloyd was a four-year starter for Jacksonville, accounting for 436 total tackles (230 solos), 15 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, nine interceptions and 26 pass breakups.
Jaguars set to release TE Johnny Mundt
The Jaguars release tight end Johnny Mundt, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday. The team will save $2,735,294 in cap space with the move.
Mundt was signed last offseason via free agency to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million that included $2.25 million guaranteed. The Jaguars will eat $500,000 in dead money with the move, according to OverTheCap.
Mundt played in 16 games for Jacksonville last season with six starts. He caught nine passes for 111 yards.
Report: Jaguars lose Travis Etienne to Saints
After five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, running back Travis Etienne has officially left the station, reportedly set to sign with the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, Etienne will sign a four-year deal worth $52 million.
Jacksonville was not expected to be in the running to retain the former 2021 first-round pick after he finished last season as one of the top players on the team.
Jaguars re-sign LB Dennis Gardeck ahead of negotiation period
The Jaguars continue to re-sign their own talent, bringing back linebacker Dennis Gardeck. The team announced the deal just before the NFL’s 52-hour negotiation window opened.
Jaguars set to re-sign CB Montaric Brown to three-year deal
According to multiple reports, the Jaguars will retain cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown on a three-year deal worth $33 million. The deal secures Brown’s position in Jacksonville as a starter after being drafted by the team in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
A league source later confirmed to the Times-Union that Brown would be retained.
Jaguars sign impending free agent TE Quintin Morris
The Jaguars opted to re-sign tight end Quintin Morris ahead of free agency opening. Morris reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the team. Morris earned a 53-man roster role partially into the 2025 regular season and never looked back. He brings value on special teams and primarily as a blocker on offense.
Jaguars bring back DT Matt Dickerson
Similar to Morris, the Jaguars opted to bring back DT Matt Dickerson, who they signed last year to compete as a depth player. Dickerson eventually earned a 53-man roster spot before becoming one of the team’s primary players at the position. Dickerson will reportedly make $1.45 million for one year.
Jaguars find role for RB DeeJay Dallas
Running back DeeJay Dallas was signed late in the 2025 season to offer help to the team’s return game. According to reports, Dallas signed for $1.265 million over one year, per reports.
Jaguars re-sign CB Keith Taylor
Cornerback Keith Taylor was signed ahead of free agency. Taylor spent the latter portion of the season in Jacksonville as a depth player. He will reportedly make $1.24 million in 2026.
Jaguars offer exclusive rights tender to CB Christian Braswell
According to cornerback Christian Braswell’s agency, the former sixth-round pick will sign a one-year exclusive rights tender with Jacksonville to avoid free agency.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky at Demetrius.
If you’re a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider subscribing to support local journalism in Northeast Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars NFL free agency updates: Latest news, rumors
Reporting by Demetrius Harvey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
