DB Cody Davis Announces Retirement
Cody Davis‘ NFL career dates back to 2013, but he will not pursue a 12th season in the league. The defensive back and core special teamer announced his retirement on Thursday. 
The 34-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and he spent his first five seasons with the Rams. Davis made the only five starts of his career during his time with the franchise, but he also established his presence as a key special teams contributor along the way. He carried on in that capacity with the Jaguars in 2018 and ’19.
Davis spent his final four seasons in New England, working alongside third phase ace Matthew Slater during his Patriots run. The former played only one snap on defense over that span, but he logged 905 on special teams. Now, the team will be without both Slater and Davis for the 2024 campaign, something which will represent a notable absence for new head coach Jerod Mayo.
“I am eternally thankful for this football journey and what it has meant to me and my family,” Davis’ announcement reads in part. “For 22 years football has been what I have done, but it is not who I am… I have more dreams and look forward to chasing them!”
The Texas Tech product secured a deal averaging $2.5MM per season during his Jacksonville tenure, and he played on three separate Patriots contracts, the last two of which had an AAV over $2MM. In all, he racked up over $16MM in career earnings. Davis will hang up his cleats in lieu of pursuing a free agent deal with New England or another team, and instead turn his attention to his post-playing days.
Jaguars Sign TE Josiah Deguara
Upon playing out his rookie contract, Josiah Deguara is set to join a new team. The veteran tight end has agreed to a one-year deal with the Jaguars, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The move is now official.
Deguara was limited to two games in his rookie season due to an ACL tear, but he has managed to remain mostly healthy since then. He played in 16, 17 and 15 contests across the past three seasons, occupying a rotational role along the way. The 27-year-old was one of several members of Green Bay’s youth movement in recent seasons at the pass-catching spots, but he did not establish himself as a starter.
Deguara’s best campaign came in 2021, when he recorded 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25 receptions. He made just 21 scoreless catches in the two subsequent years, though, seeing a decreasing offensive role during that time. The former third-rounder was primarily used on special teams in 2022 and ’23 while the Packers turned to Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at the tight end spot last year.
That pair will remain in place for Green Bay for years to come, so Deguara’s departure comes as little surprise. The latter will aim to carve out a depth role in Jacksonville, a team which already has Evan Engram in place as its primary pass-catching tight end. Engram had a successful one-year audition period with the Jaguars, and he parlayed that into the franchise tag and, ultimately, a three-year, $41.25MM extension last offseason.
Deguara could contribute as a blocker to complement Engram with the Jaguars. The Cincinnati alum will also be able to provide special teams play, particularly if he is unable to generate significant usage in the passing game. A successful run in Duval County could help his free agent stock ahead of the 2025 offseason.
Jaguars Plan To Reduce RB Travis Etienne’s Workload
Travis Etienne missed his entire rookie season due to injury, but his play when healthy in 2022 led the Jaguars to trade away James Robinson. The former took on lead back duties as a result, but last offseason the team attempted to add depth in the backfield and reduce his workload. 
In spite of those efforts, Etienne wound up logging a 73% offensive snap share in 2023. His 325 touches (267 carries, 58 receptions) ranked third in the NFL, marking a major uptick compared to his usage rate the year before. The former first-rounder is still atop a running back depth chart which features Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson. Head coach Doug Pederson is hoping to lighten Etienne’s load in 2024, though.
“I think it’s a little bit of everything,” Pederson said in an interview with NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry about Etienne’s usage last season (via PFT’s Josh Alper). “Johnson got hurt a little bit in there, and then Tank was a rookie and learning and coming on. We really like Tank and he’ll have a bigger impact for us this year for us. It’s not the recipe, necessarily, to put Travis in that situation. So I would consider knocking a few of those reps down to keep him healthy throughout the course of the year.”
Johnson and Bigsby saw a combined total of 91 carries with each playing 17 games in 2023, and Pederson’s comments suggest the latter could be the top beneficiary of a re-distribution of touches. That, in turn, would likely help Etienne return to his efficiency from 2022. The Clemson alum averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his first healthy campaign, but that figure fell to 3.8 last season. Improved play in general on offense would of course help his individual performance, but a more balanced RB workload would be a factor as well.
Etienne has one year remaining on his rookie contract as things stand, but the Jags could keep him in place through 2025 by picking up his fifth-year option. A decision on that option (which would cost $6.14MM) will need to be made this spring, and his projected workload moving forward will no doubt be a factor under consideration. In any event, it will be interesting to see how Etienne will be used in 2024 after a second straight offseason pointing to a reduction in touches.
Jaguars QB Mac Jones Addresses Patriots Trade
Free agency saw several veteran quarterbacks find new homes. A number of trades took place involving signal-callers as well, though, including the one which ended Mac Jones‘ Patriots tenure. 
The 2021 first-rounder was dealt to the Jaguars last week in return for a sixth-round pick. The move will allow Jones to play for his hometown team while getting a fresh start following his underwhelming run in New England. He will serve as Trevor Lawrence‘s backup for at least one season, while the Patriots will reset under center. Jones recently spoke about the trade.
“We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us,” the 25-year-old said, via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. “For me, it was just about moving on and getting back home, and I couldn’t be more excited. And for them, it’s about moving forward and turning the page. So really, that’s what we decided, and I think it’s a great decision.”
Jones had an encouraging rookie season, but his struggles the following year under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge led to questions about his long-term viability as a starter. A coaching change led to Bill O’Brien taking charge of the Patriots’ offense in 2023, but Jones did not rebound as hoped. The Alabama product was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe to close out the campaign, furthering the expectation he would be dealt during the offseason.
The Patriots have indeed moved on, with Zappe, former Jaguars addition Nathan Rourke and veteran Jacoby Brissett on the QB depth chart. New England is widely expected to draft a signal-caller third overall, and the understanding of that plan lends credence to Jones’ assertion the trade was a mutual parting of ways. The latter will compete for the QB2 job in Jacksonville with veteran C.J. Beathard.
One year remains on Jones’ rookie contract; the Jaguars will surely decline his 2025 fifth-year option (valued at $25.66MM). His free agent stock will thus depend on his play over the coming season, something which will not involve much in the way of opportunities if Lawrence remains healthy. Jones’ value and the performance of his replacement will be worth monitoring in 2024.
Jaguars Sign Trevis Gipson
Trevis Gipson saw his time with the Bears come to an end during roster cutdowns last summer. That led him to the Titans for a single season, and he will remain in the AFC south in 2024. 
The veteran edge rusher signed with the Jaguars on Monday, per a team announcement. Gipson took on a first-team role during part of his time in Chicago, logging 19 starts between the 2021 and ’22 seasons. The former fifth-rounder posted 10 sacks during that span, making it somewhat surprising he was waived last August.
After going unclaimed, Gipson was free to join any interested team ahead of the 2023 campaign. The 26-year-old signed with the Titans, a move which gave him the opportunity to at least carve out a rotational role. Instead, he logged a defensive snap share of only 15% – the lowest of his career – while playing eight games. In that span, the Tulsa product recorded a single sack along with six tackles and a forced fumble.
Gipson posted 38 QB pressures during his three-year run with the Bears, so Jacksonville will take a flier on him with the hopes he will be able to regain his previous form. The Jaguars ranked 25th in the league with 40 sacks last season, so the team has plenty of room for improvement in that regard. Gipson will now join an edge contingent anchored by Josh Allen, who to no surprise received the franchise tag.
Allen and 2022 first overall pick Travon Walker will remain starters along the edge after the latter enjoyed a strong second season (10 sacks). Those two will remain key members of Jacksonville’s defense for 2024 and beyond – presuming Allen and the team work out an extension – while Gipson will look to find success in a rotational role.
Jaguars Sign K Joey Slye
The Jaguars and Commanders are set to complete a free agent swap of kickers. Brandon McManus joined Washington on a new deal last week, and Joey Slye will be taking his place in Duval County. 
The latter has agreed to a one-year deal with the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Slye spent the past two full seasons with the Commanders, having impressed at the end of the 2021 campaign. His efforts that season landed him a two-year pact worth $4.2MM to remain in the nation’s capital. McManus took a one-year deal worth $3.6MM to join the Commanders, however, leaving Slye in need of a new opportunity. His Jags deal is now official, per a team announcement.
The 27-year-old will be playing on his fifth career NFL team provided he wins the kicking gig during the offseason. Slye served as the Panthers’ full-time kicker in 2019 and ’20 before splitting time with three franchises the following season. Slye’s first full campaign in Washington saw him convert 25 of 30 field goal attempts, one of his better showings but a drop-off in accuracy compared to his perfect audition period prior to signing his new deal. In 2023, the former UDFA’s success rate dropped to 79.2% (19-of-24 on field goal kicks).
Slye also missed a combined seven extra points across the past two seasons, so it comes as little surprise the Commanders elected to let him depart and moved quickly in adding a replacement. The Virginia Tech product could see competition brought in during the latter waves of free agency or the draft, as was the case with Washington last offseason. The Commanders added Michael Badgley as an alternative option, but he was ultimately released in August after Slye fended him off for the placekicking role.
The latter will join an otherwise-intact kicking battery in Jacksonville. Both punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik are under contract for 2024 and beyond, so the team will have stability at those positions moving forward. Slye will look to earn a short- and long-term opportunity with the Jaguars this offseason.
Jaguars, DT Arik Armstead Agree To Deal
Arik Armstead has not needed to wait long to find a new team, but his next opportunity will not come from one previously on the radar for an agreement. The ex-49ers defensive tackle has a deal in place with the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This will be a three-year, $51MM pact, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. 
Armstead was released by the 49ers at the onset of free agency, but to no surprise he generated considerable interest in short order. The Bills and Texans were among the suitors known to be showing interest in the former first-round pick, but no Jacksonville connections were in place entering Thursday. However, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke was at the helm of the 49ers when Armstead was drafted in 2015.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the Titans were also interested in Armstead in addition to Buffalo and Houston. The latter franchise went as far as setting up a player-for-player trade, she adds. The 49ers and Texans had a swap of Armstead and Maliek Collins on the table before Houston agreed to terms with edge rusher Danielle Hunter. That pact led to the trade falling through, per Russini and colleague Matt Barrows. In spite of that, Armstead will still be headed to Duval County not long after Collins wound up being dealt to San Francisco anyway.
The former racked up five sacks in 2023, the third-highest total of his career. Especially with that figure coming in 12 regular season games, Armstead could provide an interior pass-rushing presence if he can remain healthy with Jacksonville. He managed to play in all three games in San Francisco’s postseason (which resulted in a Super Bowl berth), and his experience in multiple deep postseason runs will be welcomed on the Jaguars.
Jacksonville made the expected move of using the franchise tag on sack leader Josh Allen. Talks on a long-term deal will continue with the two-time Pro Bowler, but he and Travon Walker will remain in place along the edge for at least one more season. Armstead will play in between that pair as part of an upgraded Jags D-line. Last offseason, Baalke handed DaVon Hamilton a three-year, $34.5MM extension and he will partner with Armstead for years to come.
The Jaguars entered Thursday near the bottom of the league in cap space, though in all cases that is a situation which is especially fluid this time of year. Further big-money deals would be challenging for the team to work out, but this Armstead acquisition could prove to be an effective one if he remains productive in the second chapter of his career.
Titans To Sign WR Calvin Ridley
After a Jaguars-Patriots duel formed in the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes, a mystery suitor revealed itself. The Titans are swooping in with a big offer to land the former first-round pick.
Ridley will commit to Tennessee on a four-year, $92MM deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. The Titans are giving Ridley $50MM fully guaranteed. A year after winning a lower-priced DeAndre Hopkins pursuit, Tennessee will pair him with Ridley.
This marks a windfall for Ridley, who will cash in despite missing the 2022 season due to a gambling suspension and leaving the Falcons early in the 2021 slate. After Atlanta traded Ridley to Jacksonville during his suspension, the former Alabama standout posted his second 1,000-yard year. Although the Jaguars wanted to retain Ridley, they may have stopped short of this price point.
As of Wednesday afternoon, however, the Titans checked in with the NFL’s most cap space. Ran Carthon‘s team carried $72MM before the Ridley agreement. While the Patriots and Jaguars both made offers, a stealth suitor may have topped them both. The Jags had been viewed as likely to retain Ridley, but they already have three veteran contracts at receiver (Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Gabe Davis) and another at tight end (Evan Engram). Tennessee has Hopkins on a relatively low-cost accord, after beating out the Patriots in that race as well, giving the team a clearer path to pursue this year’s top free agent wideout. Indeed, in a piece written by Jeff Howe, Larry Holder, and Randy Mueller of The Athletic (subscription required), we learned that while the Jags’ and Pats’ offers were in the same ballpark, the Titans’ proposal was significantly higher.
At $23MM per year, Ridley checks in as the NFL’s ninth-highest-paid receiver; the $50MM guaranteed at signing, however, is the more important number. Only Tyreek Hill‘s 2022 Dolphins deal carried more locked in at signing. That illustrates where this market went and the aggressive pushes teams were making to bring in this market’s top receiver.
Ridley, 29, will also reunite with the Jaguars’ 2023 pass-game coordinator, Nick Holz, who landed the Titans’ OC job earlier this offseason. Holz was on-hand for a rather uneven Jaguars offensive season, with Press Taylor calling plays. Ridley, however, used the 2023 slate to rebound after effectively two years away. The 2018 first-round pick left the Falcons in October 2021, and while the team helped him find a desired trade destination — Ridley picked Jacksonville — money may well be talking for the Florida native.
PFR’s top 50 free agent ranks listed the Titans as a potential Ridley suitor — largely due to cap space and what has transpired since the A.J. Brown trade. The Titans have not seen Brown’s immediate replacement — 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks — become a difference-maker. And less than two years after the ill-fated Brown move, the Titans ditched their GM (Jon Robinson) and HC (Mike Vrabel). The Titans were not offering Brown a deal in this ballpark; two years later, and with the cap exploding to $255.4MM, a new GM will sign off on this money for Ridley, whose career has been much rockier than the current Eagles WR1’s.
As Julio Jones‘ hamstring trouble — which helped lead the Falcons to trade him to the Titans the following year — produced a 2020 shutdown in Atlanta, his younger sidekick broke through. Ridley’s 90-catch, 1,374-yard, nine-TD season placed him on the All-Pro second team. Ridley said he played most of the 2020 season on a broken foot, but he was not informed of the break until June 2021. He underwent surgery, which was described as a minor procedure, but said he was not close to 100% by Week 1. This preceded Ridley leaving the Falcons, citing mental health reasons.
Ridley’s rookie contract tolled to 2023 due to the subsequent gambling ban, which will add more risk to this Titans bet. Although Ridley produced in spurts for the Jags in a 1,016-yard season, he will turn 30 before the 2024 season ends. Two of Ridley’s four 100-yard showings came against a struggling Titans team, though, and Carthon will place a big bet on Ridley having plenty left in the tank to help Levis. This contract will pair with Levis’ rookie deal, which runs through 2026.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/24
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, OL Matt Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Tony Brown, TE Giovanni Ricci
- Re-signed: P Corey Bojorquez
Houston Texans
- Signed: OT David Sharpe
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: LB Caleb Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: RB Salvon Ahmed
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: FB Adam Prentice
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: DL Kevin Givens
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Nick Harris
- Re-signed: CB Artie Burns
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: RB Julius Chestnut
Washington Commanders
- Re-signed: S Jeremy Reaves
Jaguars Likely To Re-Sign WR Calvin Ridley?
3:00pm: With the new league year starting, the second part of the Ridley trade is locked in. The Falcons will receive the Jaguars’ 2024 third-round pick (No. 79). Had Ridley re-signed earlier, Atlanta would have ended up with Jacksonville’s No. 48 selection. The Jags already sent the Falcons their fifth-round choice last year. Now, the team awaits word on if it will keep the wide receiver.
2:47pm: We are minutes from the 2024 league year, which matters significantly in this particular free agency pursuit. Only the Jaguars and Patriots have been closely connected to Ridley, and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz labels this a two-horse race. Despite Ridley’s 2021 hiatus and 2022 gambling suspension, he is expected to land a big number in free agency.
Continuing to make it clear to their 2022 trade pickup they view him as a long-term option rather than a rental, the Jags can re-sign him after 3pm CT and only send a third-round pick to the Falcons. At this point, it appears Atlanta will not be in play to collect Jacksonville’s second-rounder.
11:07am: Calvin Ridley‘s free agency has presented one of the more complex markets in recent memory, with the 2022 Jaguars-Falcons trade significantly impacting its composition. As the Patriots try to poach the former first-round pick, the Jags are not giving up.
Despite the Jags having agreed to terms with Gabe Davis, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes they have made an offer to retain Ridley. This comes after a report indicated the Patriots have made an offer to Ridley, who looms as the top wideout available after Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. did not end up hitting the market.
Ridley, 29, is the only one of PFR’s top 11 free agents not to have chosen a destination yet. A wink-wink agreement between Ridley and the Jags could conceivably be in place. If Jacksonville signs Ridley before 3pm CT today — the start of the 2024 league year — it goes down as an extension, meaning the team will send Atlanta its 2024 second-round pick. If Ridley re-signs with the Jags after 3pm, the Falcons will obtain the AFC South team’s third-rounder.
On that note, Jones adds the Jaguars are viewed as the more likely winner of these sweepstakes. The 2022 trade pickup is weighing the cost of living, and Florida’s lack of a state income tax has always represented an advantage against most other states housing NFL franchises. A Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native, Ridley also chose to be traded to the Jags in 2022; the Falcons discussed the 2018 first-round pick with several teams but worked with him to find an acceptable destination. Ridley having picked the Jags 17 months ago figures to matter now as well.
Ridley returning to Jacksonville would create a crowded receiver room. The Jags already featured an unusually constructed skill-position group, one that featured four players on either veteran contracts or a fifth-year option, in 2023. With Davis coming in, the team would seemingly need to move on from either Zay Jones or Christian Kirk to avoid the stranger scenario of five veteran deals — all north of $8MM per year — being allocated to pass catchers. With Kirk working as Trevor Lawrence‘s top target for most of his tenure, Jones may be the one on the chopping block. The slot player is due a $7MM base salary and is on the Jags’ cap at $10.75MM.
The Jags will need to backload Ridley’s contract or make more moves to clear cap space, as they hold just more than $5MM. The Patriots are in much better shape, sitting with nearly $60MM despite making several moves to retain their own UFAs. Ridley staying in Jacksonville would move the focus to other available wideouts — perhaps the Chargers’ Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, who have been connected to the Pats — as New England attempts to land a No. 1-caliber target.