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One of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest rivals is one of four teams to use a franchise or transition tag in 2026. The Indianapolis Colts targeted Daniel Jones with their transition tag, which costs $37.833 million guaranteed for quarterbacks (about $6 million cheaper than the franchise tag). Jones now has the opportunity to test the market and sign an offer sheet that Indianapolis would then have the right to match. The Colts are attempting to “lock up” Jones for another season while
continuing to work on a long-term deal for wide receiver Alec Pierce.
This all makes sense in theory… but Jones is also recovering from a torn Achilles sustained in December. A torn Achilles. The Colts seem to believe he’ll regain most of his previous form by the playoffs. I’m not scoffing at the bet, but the cost is a bit crazy to me.
If I were the general manager of a team with a turf-surface dome stadium and a star running back, I would’ve recruited Kyler Murray, who will sign for the league minimum due to how much cash the Arizona Cardinals owe him. Maybe the Falcons will bite on the bite-sized QB. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Now, for the full roundup.
Jacksonville Jaguars News
Study up before your next trip to the watercooler.
Jaguars do not use franchise tag on Devin Lloyd or Travis Etienne (Big Cat Country)
Franchise tag costs in 2026 are $26.865 million for linebackers and $14.293 million for running backs. According to Spotrac, Lloyd and Etienne have projected market values of $20.1 million and $6.8 million per year, respectively. Using the tag would have been an overpay in either scenario.
2026 NFL Free Agency: LB Devin Lloyd’s Contract Value and Best Fits (Big Cat Country)
A three-year investment makes sense because Lloyd’s contract-year stats dwarfed his previous production. Plus, despite not playing on a fifth-year option as a former 1st-round pick, he isn’t exactly young for someone seeking a second contract.
Five Realistic Free Agent Targets for the Jaguars (Jaguars on SI)
If the Jaguars are going to lose Devin Lloyd to free agency, Leo Chenal might be a suitable replacement at the right price. That price is still to be determined, but it certainly does not appear Chenal is going to have the type of market Lloyd could have. Considering Chenal’s scheme fit with the Jaguars and Anthony Campanile, though, it is hard to make the argument the Jaguars couldn’t replicate some of what they are losing in Lloyd for a significantly smaller chunk of the cost.
Here are the Jaguars biggest needs heading into NFL Free Agency (Action News Jax)
The Jaguars’ defensive tackles ranked 23rd in Pressure % and 24th in Pass-Rush Win %, much of that coming in the early parts of the season. Really, it was just Armstead too as the rest of the interior offered little production as pass-rushers. Following Armstead’s injury, the Jaguars DTs totaled just 12 pressures and zero sacks across the last five weeks.
NFL trade predictions: Fits for Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie (USA Today)
They could flip one of their projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks to the Eagles in return for Davis. The Jaguars would need to shift money around to make it work but could move money around on current deals for Hines-Allen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little to create some space for this move.
Highest-graded cornerbacks from the 2025 NFL season (PFF)
Not yet a household name, Jones is starting to build a strong profile and find recognition for his ability to lock down the slot. Although he played sparingly through the first half of the season, he was lights-out from Week 9 onward, earning the seventh-highest PFF overall grade among cornerbacks (80.2). Much of that stems from his coverage metrics out of the slot, where he earned an 87.5 PFF coverage grade, making him one of just three players to exceed 83.0.
The Colts locking up Jones could go a long way toward Pierce inking a new deal with Indianapolis sooner rather than later, as the Horseshoe’s continued uncertainty at quarterback, with other teams still having the ability to poach Jones, reportedly is still weighing meaningfully on Pierce’s ongoing Colts’ contract talks.
Now 31 years old (will turn 32 in December), Hendrickson is unfortunately at an age where many NFL teams are unwilling to commit a long-term contract to with significant guaranteed money. That’s what Hendrickson and his agent have been pushing to get, but the Bengals have shown no willingness to meet those demands.
Jets will place franchise tag on running back Breece Hall (Gang Green Nation)
The franchise tag sets Hall’s salary at $14.293 million for 2026. The Jets and he can continue to try and reach a long-term deal, which could bring his cap number down for this season.
Now we know. Cardinals to release QB Kyler Murray (Revenge of the Birds)
The release is something Murray’s camp has wanted, which will allow him to find his own new team and work out a deal to play somewhere else, either as the starter or as an experienced backup.
Report: Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman is retiring (Windy City Gridiron)
On Tuesday afternoon, Adam Schefter broke the news that Chicago Bears’ Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman informed the team that he was retiring before the 2026 season after only a single year in Chicago, despite having two years remaining on his contract.
Big Cat Country Editor’s Pick
Drumroll, please!
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Trading for a ‘Golden Goose’ Like Maxx Crosby (Sports Illustrated)
Here is where one NFL coach cautioned me: Building what Seattle has is just as difficult as finding a golden goose edge rusher, especially being as cost effective as Seattle was in doing so (the Seahawks committed about $40.7 million in cap dollars to their top four defensive linemen during their Super Bowl run). In the case of the Seahawks, the team needed the right coaching staff and four players who accepted that they may not be the star of any given game plan; four “alpha” type people who buy into a single idea. You don’t have to be an expert on the Beatles to realize how difficult that is.
Today’s NFL Media
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