The Jaguars continue to use the opening day of the negotiating period to along the offensive line. Patrick Mekari has already worked out a deal, and the same is now true of Robert Hainsey.
The latter has a three-year agreement in place, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The deal is worth $21MM and includes $13MM guaranteed, he adds. Hainsey played out his rookie contract with the Buccaneers, including the 2024 campaign with new Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen.
Although Coen only stopped through Tampa for one season, he is bringing Hainsey — who did not work as a regular starter last year — with him. Hainsey’s starter run came from 2022-23, as Ryan Jensen‘s training camp knee injury sidetracked his career and forced the Bucs into replacing him. Hainsey started all 34 Bucs games at center from 2022-23.
Initially placed as a guard in Tampa, Hainsey ended up giving way to 2024 first-round pick Graham Barton at center. Coen, however, did coach the former Tampa Bay starter last season. Despite Hainsey’s 2024 stay as a backup, the former third-round pick did not come especially cheap. He will collect $7MM per year and a nice guarantee, accompanying Mekari as unorthodox starter solutions. Mekari is heading south after a playing at least 200 snaps at all five O-line positions in Baltimore.
Brandon Scherff played out his big-ticket Jaguars deal — one agreed to during the 2022 free agency period — and the team saw Mitch Morse retire this month. Ezra Cleveland remains in place at Jacksonville’s other interior O-line spot; Hainsey and Mekari and on track to join him.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
More players need to go by “Bob” nowadays. Bring back the ‘Bob’s