The 2024 Jaguars offseason brought big-ticket extensions, while a reset of sorts occurred last year. As Jacksonville’s Liam Coen-James Gladstone regime moves through Year 2, however, some of Trent Baalke‘s draft choices are on the extension radar.
Edge rusher Travon Walker, wide receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange have engaged in extension talks with the Jaguars, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco notes. These are being categorized as preliminary discussions, but it is certainly notable these players are under consideration to be paid by a regime that did not draft them. Gladstone said, via DiRocco, the team is “probably within striking distance to see things come to light” regarding such extensions.
While it is certainly not surprising to see Walker’s name here, the Jags overhauled their skill-position corps in 2025. The team released Evan Engram, Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay while trading Christian Kirk to the Texans last year. Brian Thomas Jr. did not build on his strong rookie season, and trade acquisition Jakobi Meyers ended up being paid — at three years and $60MM. But Baalke-era picks Strange and Washington joined Meyers in making big impacts as Trevor Lawrence turned things around last season.
A 2023 sixth-round pick, Washington had worked as a Kirk replacement in the past. Last year brought a breakthrough, with Coen’s offense unlocking the Penn State product’s potential. Washington led the Jags with 847 receiving yards last season, totaling a career-high five touchdown grabs. The Jags have Meyers at $20MM per year to go with Lawrence’s $55MM-AAV deal, but they will see what it will take to keep Washington off the 2027 free agent market.
The 204-pound wide receiver certainly upped his stock in 2025, but the 2026 season should — in theory, at least — see a concerted effort to involve Thomas, especially now that Travis Hunter is shifting more to a cornerback role. Meyers also ignited the Jags’ offense following his midseason arrival, and the in-season extension reflects the Gladstone-Coen duo’s faith in his abilities moving forward. Washington continuing on his current pace, however, would make him one of the top 2027 WR free agents. The Jags have until next March to negotiate exclusively with him.
Strange took Engram’s spot as Jacksonville’s top receiving tight end last season, amassing 540 yards on 46 receptions. Strange averaged 11.7 yards per catch and smashed his previous yards-per-game best by producing his season yardage total in just 12 contests during an injury-shortened season. The Jags jettisoned Engram’s three-year, $41.25MM extension last March but are exploring what moving back into the upper-echelon TE market will cost.
The NFL currently features 14 tight ends earning at least $10MM per year. Strange will assuredly aim to join that club, and the former second-round pick — Washington’s teammate at Penn State — could up his price with a quality contract year.
Walker profiles as a 2027 franchise tag candidate. Tied to a fifth-year option salary of $15.2MM, the former No. 1 overall pick totaled 21.5 sacks from 2023-24 before tallying just 3.5 in 14 games last season. The Georgia alum posted fewer QB hits (13) and tackles for loss (eight) compared to his 2023 or ’24 totals; his 19 pressures tied for 66th. Josh Hines-Allen, who finished fifth in pressures (with 46) last season, received the tag after playing out his fifth-year option season. The Baalke regime extended him on a five-year, $141.25MM deal.
With the cap rising by nearly $50MM since that contract was finalized, Walker’s camp will likely set a higher price. But he is not coming off an especially impressive season. Still, the longtime Hines-Allen sidekick would be one of the 2027 market’s top prizes were he to make it there. We are a long way away from that, and the tag serves as a mechanism for the Jags to impede that path. Walker, whom Baalke drafted ahead of All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, will not turn 26 until December. That stands to strengthen his leverage in extension talks.
Glad to see they’re trying to extend Parker Washington and Strange.
Washington has always been a guy with potential but it didn’t seem like they really used him at all other than in the return game until 2024. He always impressed me with Penn State.
Strange is more of an athlete and has higher upside so not surprising to see him being prioritized after his breakout year.
Both are solid young assets for Jacksonville’s receiving corps going forward.
STRANGE Development.