Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball

In the NFL, a successful offseason can be the difference between a playoff team and a also-ran—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2025 offseason was a masterclass in targeted roster building. After falling just one win short of the playoffs in 2024, the Jaguars entered the offseason with a clear goal: address weaknesses on both offense and defense while retaining core talent that could help them compete for an AFC South title. What followed was a busy few months of free agency signings, draft picks, and strategic roster tweaks that added proven playmakers and promising young talent to every phase of the team. Unlike past offseasons that focused heavily on one side of the ball, this year’s moves balanced offensive and defensive upgrades—ensuring quarterback Trevor Lawrence has more support on offense, and the defense has the tools to stop high-powered division rivals like the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. For Jaguars fans, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball is more than a recap of transactions; it’s a sign that the team is serious about turning potential into playoff success.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball begins with the team’s offensive upgrades, which focused on protecting Lawrence and expanding his weaponry. The most impactful move came in free agency, where the Jaguars signed veteran left tackle Chuma Udoga to a four-year deal. Udoga, a six-year NFL veteran who spent the last two seasons with the New England Patriots, was brought in to fix the Jaguars’ longstanding issues at left tackle—a position that allowed 11 sacks last season. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Udoga is a physical pass-blocker who allowed just three sacks in 2024, and his ability to play both left and right tackle gives the Jaguars valuable flexibility. The Jaguars also addressed the center position in the NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State’s Jake Fisher in the third round. Fisher, a intelligent lineman with quick feet, was drafted to replace the rotating cast of centers who struggled after Ryan Kelly’s departure last season. On the skill side, the Jaguars added depth at wide receiver by signing free agent John Brown, a veteran with 4,000+ career receiving yards who can serve as a reliable third option behind Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk. These moves weren’t just about adding bodies; they were about giving Lawrence the time and targets he needs to elevate his game to MVP level.

A closer look at the Jaguars’ defensive additions reveals a similar focus on fixing weaknesses and adding versatility. The team’s biggest splash in free agency was signing defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, a Jacksonville native who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Jaguars before moving on to other teams. Ngakoue, who recorded 9 sacks and 15 quarterback hits with the Chicago Bears last season, returns to his hometown team to anchor the Jaguars’ pass rush—a unit that ranked 22nd in sacks (34) in 2024. His familiarity with the Jaguars’ system and his ability to generate pressure from multiple spots makes him a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell’s scheme. The Jaguars also bolstered their defensive line in the draft, selecting Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the 12th overall pick. Murphy, a disruptive interior lineman who recorded 11 sacks in his final college season, adds much-needed depth to a defensive tackle group that struggled to stop the run last season. In the secondary, the Jaguars signed veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson to a two-year deal. Peterson, a three-time Pro Bowler, was brought in to fix the Jaguars’ issues at cornerback—where the team allowed a 63% completion rate to opposing wide receivers last season. Together, these defensive additions give the Jaguars a more balanced and aggressive unit that can compete with the AFC South’s top offenses.

A critical factor in Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball is the team’s focus on adding players who fit their schemes—ensuring new additions can contribute immediately. The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t just sign big-name players; they targeted athletes who have a history of success in systems similar to head coach Doug Pederson’s offense and Caldwell’s defense. For example, Udoga played in a Patriots offense that emphasized zone blocking—similar to the Jaguars’ scheme—making his transition seamless. On defense, Ngakoue is familiar with Caldwell’s blitz-heavy approach from his first stint with the Jaguars, and Peterson has experience playing both man and zone coverage—key for a secondary that uses a mix of both. The Jaguars’ coaching staff has also been proactive in integrating new players, hosting voluntary offseason workouts that allowed Udoga, Ngakoue, and others to build chemistry with their new teammates. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this focus on scheme fit is essential; it reduces the learning curve for new players and ensures the team can hit the ground running when training camp starts. As Pederson noted, “We don’t just add talent—we add talent that knows how to play the way we want to play. That’s how you build a cohesive team.”

Another key aspect of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball is the team’s commitment to retaining core players while adding new talent. The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t just focus on external additions; they also re-signed key players who were set to hit free agency, including running back Tank Bigsby and safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Bigsby, who rushed for 750 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024, was re-signed to a three-year deal to remain the Jaguars’ starting running back—a move that ensures continuity in the run game. Jenkins, a leader in the secondary who recorded 90 tackles and 2 interceptions last season, was re-signed to a two-year deal to keep the Jaguars’ safety group intact. These re-signings are just as important as the external additions; they keep proven contributors in the fold and maintain the team’s culture of accountability. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, balancing retention and addition is a delicate dance—but one that’s essential for long-term success. As general manager Trent Baalke said, “Our goal is to build a team that can compete year in and year out. That means keeping the players who make us great and adding players who can make us better.”

As the Jaguars prepare for training camp, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball has fans and analysts optimistic about the team’s 2025 prospects. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this offseason wasn’t just about adding talent—it was about building a complete team that can win close games and compete with the NFL’s best. With a revamped offensive line protecting Lawrence, a more explosive pass rush on defense, and key core players retained, the Jaguars have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run. Of course, there are still questions to answer—will Fisher adapt quickly to the NFL, can Ngakoue and Murphy generate enough sacks, and will the secondary improve enough to stop top wide receivers? But the Jaguars’ offseason moves have given them a fighting chance to answer those questions positively. For Lawrence, who is entering his fifth NFL season, this could be the year he leads the Jaguars to their first AFC South title since 2017. In the end, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offseason Adds Talent to Both Sides of Ball is a testament to the team’s vision and commitment to winning. By adding talent to both sides of the ball, the Jaguars have positioned themselves as legitimate playoff contenders—and they’re ready to prove it when the 2025 season begins.