Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars continue to refine their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the team has made a strategic addition to strengthen their offensive depth: signing tight end Hunter Long to a one-year contract. Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a routine free-agent pickup—it’s a move designed to bolster a position group that, while talented, lacked the experience needed to handle a full season of snaps. For the Jaguars, who rely on tight ends for both pass-catching and run-blocking in Doug Pederson’s offense, Long brings a versatile skill set that complements incumbent starters Evan Engram and Ben Sinnott. As the team aims to repeat as AFC South champions and make a deeper playoff run, Long’s arrival adds both reliability and competition to a tight end room that will play a critical role in Trevor Lawrence’s success.

Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars comes after a four-year NFL career that saw Long establish himself as a reliable, all-around tight end. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Boston College, Long spent two seasons in New England before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Over his career, he has recorded 47 receptions for 512 yards and 3 touchdowns, but his value extends beyond statistics: he’s a strong run-blocker who has graded above 70.0 in pass protection in each of the last two seasons (per Pro Football Focus). What stands out about Long is his versatility—he can line up in-line as a traditional tight end, split out wide as a receiver, or motion into the backfield to block, making him a perfect fit for Pederson’s scheme. At Boston College, Long was a standout, earning All-ACC honors in 2020 with 57 receptions for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns, showcasing the hands and route-running ability that caught the Jaguars’ attention. His combination of NFL experience and collegiate success made him a top target for the Jaguars as they looked to add depth to their tight end room.

A key reason for Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars is the Jaguars’ need to address depth and injury concerns from the 2024 season. Last year, the Jaguars’ tight end room was thin behind Evan Engram: backup Ben Sinnott, a rookie second-round pick, showed promise but struggled with consistency, and third-string tight end Luke Farrell missed six games with a knee injury. This lack of depth forced Engram to play 85% of the offensive snaps, leading to fatigue down the stretch—his yards per reception dropped from 12.1 in the first half of the season to 9.3 in the second. Long’s arrival changes that: he can spell Engram on passing downs, handle full-time blocking duties in run-heavy sets, and step into a starting role if Engram or Sinnott gets injured. Pederson, who has long valued tight end depth (he won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 using a rotation of tight ends), emphasized this need: “Having a player like Hunter who can do it all—block, catch, stay healthy—gives us flexibility. We don’t want to wear Evan down, and Hunter allows us to manage snaps better while keeping our offense dynamic.”

Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars also aligns with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive strategy, which relies on tight ends to create mismatches and open up opportunities for other playmakers. In Pederson’s offense, tight ends are often used as “safety valves” for Lawrence, particularly on third downs, and as blockers to protect against edge rushers. Long’s pass-catching ability—he has a career catch rate of 72%, well above the NFL average for tight ends (65%)—makes him a reliable target for Lawrence in high-pressure situations. Additionally, his blocking skills will help open up running lanes for Travis Etienne, who led the Jaguars with 1,300 rushing yards in 2024. The Jacksonville Jaguars have already begun integrating Long into their offense during offseason workouts: he’s been running routes with Lawrence, practicing blocking schemes with the offensive line, and learning the nuances of Pederson’s playbook. Lawrence has been impressed with Long’s quick adjustment: “Hunter picks things up fast. He knows where to be, he catches everything thrown his way, and he’s a physical blocker. He’s going to make our offense better.”

Another benefit of Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars is the competition he brings to the unit—a dynamic that will push Engram and Sinnott to improve. Engram, a Pro Bowl selection in 2024, has been the Jaguars’ top tight end for two seasons, but Long’s arrival gives Pederson a reason to rotate players based on matchups. For example, Long may be used more in run-blocking sets against teams with strong edge rushers, while Engram could focus on pass-catching against teams with weaker linebackers. Sinnott, meanwhile, will have to fight for snaps as a pass-catching specialist, which could lead to more consistent performances from the second-year player. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff has emphasized that playing time will be earned, not given: “Competition makes everyone better,” tight ends coach Richard Angulo said. “Hunter’s here to compete, Evan’s here to keep his job, and Ben’s here to prove he can be a starter. That’s how you build a great tight end room.” This competition not only improves individual players but also makes the entire offense more unpredictable for opponents.

Looking ahead, Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars is a move that strengthens the Jaguars’ offense from top to bottom. The Jacksonville Jaguars enter 2025 with one of the NFL’s most talented offensive cores—Lawrence at quarterback, Etienne at running back, Travis Hunter and Christian Kirk at wide receiver—and Long’s addition ensures that the tight end room won’t be a weak link. His ability to contribute in both passing and running games will make the Jaguars’ offense harder to defend, and his experience will be invaluable during the long NFL season. For Long, this signing is a chance to revitalize his career after playing in a backup role in Miami: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play for the Jaguars,” he said. “This is a team that’s ready to win, and I want to do everything I can to help. Whether it’s blocking, catching, or mentoring the young guys, I’m here to contribute.” As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Jaguars’ tight end room—with Long, Engram, and Sinnott poised to become one of the most productive units in the league. Hunter Long Joins Tight End Room for Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just about adding a player; it’s about the Jaguars taking another step toward building a championship-caliber offense.