Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly adding depth at wide receiver to help Trevor Lawrence. 

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Tavon Austin will sign with the Jaguars after appearing in four games last season with the Green Bay Packers.

Austin began the 2020 season with the San Francisco 49ers, but he was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the regular season. The Niners released him in October after reaching an injury settlement.

The Packers signed Austin as a free agent on Dec. 1. He appeared in each of the team's final six games, including the playoffs. The 31-year-old caught five passes for 20 yards and had 14 yards on three punt returns during the regular season. 

A former first-round pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2013, Austin has struggled to live up to that potential. He did have 1,187 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns during the 2015 season. 

Austin spent five seasons with the Rams before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2018. 

Austin will likely serve as a depth player during training camp with the potential to make the 53-man roster before Week 1.    

Everything is a competition in Urban Meyer's eyes, and those competitions will apparently be used to determine roster cuts during his first season as the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach.

As Michael DiRocco of ESPN explained, Meyer is determining "winners and losers" during one-on-one drills and keeping track as a way to help determine roster spots:

A big roster's going to go to a smaller roster, and I think to be fair to players—we all have so much respect [and] this is a way guys make a living—I don't believe in subjectivity. I believe in what's your record? Every man's got a record. What it is? You are what your record [is]. If you lose a lot but you have a lot of potential, that's not real good.

Just over the course of my career, I can give you example after example [of players that] maybe they're a little slow but they just never lose.

While using the system to influence roster cuts is something new for Meyer in his first season at the NFL, the concept is not. He used it in college at Florida and Ohio State to determine starters and playing time on his loaded rosters.

While doing so, he won three national championships and became one of the most successful coaches in college football history.

If he achieves even half as much success with the Jaguars, the system figures to remain in place.

Urban Meyer issued a plea to Jacksonville Jaguars fans on Saturday: Stop letting opposing fans invade TIAA Bank Field on football Sundays.

"We're going to own this thing. When I say 'we,' I mean everybody. That's our stadium. I'm done hearing about other fans coming in our stadium. That s--t's gotta stop," he told season-ticket holders. "No more of that. That's our stadium. This is our city. And this is our team. Own it."

It will be on Meyer to lead the revitalization of the Jaguars that the organization and fans are expecting. Much of that will fall to rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence as well, the top overall pick this year out of Clemson who immediately becomes the face of the franchise. 

The early returns have been positive.

"You're like, OK, this is what a No. 1 overall pick looks like," linebacker Myles Jack told the NFL Network's James Palmer of lining up opposite Lawrence in practice (h/t James Johnson of Jaguars Wire). "You know what I mean? So, in my experience I've played against a lot of great quarterbacks and to see a young guy come in and the touches that he puts on the ball, the passes he can make, throwing receivers open—he's got a very good understanding. Will he make mistakes as a young guy? Of course. But I think he'll be here for a long time and he'll be a staple for Jacksonville."

The Jaguars appeared to have built a winner for the future in 2017, when they went 10-6 and reached the AFC Championship Game. But after three losing seasons that included the exodus of the 2017 core, the Jags are yet again rebuilding around a new head coach and quarterback. 

Young players like Lawrence, Jack, James Robinson, Travis Etienne, Josh Allen, DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr., among others, have given the fans reason to be excited. The Jaguars will be expected to improve upon 2020's woeful 1-15 campaign. 

At the very least, the Jaguars should be an interesting team to follow in 2020 while Lawrence and the young talent find their way. Meyer and the Jags are hoping that translates to more of their own fans in the seats this season. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars and running back Travis Etienne reached an agreement on a four-year rookie contract that includes a fifth-year team option. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported details of the deal after the Jags selected Etienne with the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft in April.

The 22-year-old Louisiana native is coming off a standout collegiate career at Clemson. He recorded 6,107 yards from scrimmage (111 per game) and 78 total touchdowns across 55 appearances for the Tigers. His 4,952 rushing yards and 70 scores on the ground are both school records.

Jacksonville's decision to take Etienne with its second pick of the opening round after landing quarterback Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 came as a bit of a surprise because of the team's backfield depth chart.

James Robinson put together a strong rookie campaign in 2020 with 1,414 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in 14 games. The team also featured ample reserve options, led by Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale.

Etienne will bring a game-breaking element to the backfield with his 4.4 speed, and his improvement as a pass-catcher should ensure a consistent role in the offense despite the other backs fighting for touches.

The two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year also has a built-in rapport with Lawrence from their time together at Clemson, which figures to work in his favor as new Jags head coach Urban Meyer and his staff work to get the top pick comfortable in the NFL as quickly as possible.

"I did have it in the back of my mind that I might have a chance to reunite with Trev," Etienne told reporters. "For it to come full circle, I'm just happy, excited and blessed. Being his teammate for three years, we've really built that camaraderie. I don't have to work on getting to know somebody else."

As a whole, the Jacksonville offense carries intriguing potential with Lawrence, Etienne and Robinson joined by the wide receiver trio of DJ Chark Jr., Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr.

Etienne may not post monster numbers during his debut campaign because of the talent around him, but he should see double-digit touches on a weekly basis, and his role should increase in the years ahead.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer is attempting to successfully transition from the college ranks to the NFL, but to hear former Fox Sports colleague Jimmy Johnson tell it, he is frustrated with not enough time with his team.

"He's a little frustrated right now because he's spent so little time with the players," Johnson said Wednesday, per Nate Davis of USA Today. "He's accustomed to being around the players all the time, and they weren't able to do that because of COVID-19."

Jacksonville perhaps already spent too much time on the field this offseason, though, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on July 1 it was one of three teams fined for OTA violations.

Meyer was fined $100,000, the team was fined $200,000 and the Jaguars must give up two OTA practices during the 2022 offseason. Jacksonville released a statement explaining the fine was because of 11-on-11 contact between wide receivers and defensive backs during a June 1 practice, per Mark Long of the Associated Press.

"The Jaguars are vigilant about practicing within the CBA rules and will reemphasize offseason training rules as they relate to contact," the team said.

Few people understand what goes into the transition Meyer is making this offseason better than Johnson.

He, Barry Switzer and Pete Carroll are the only three coaches in the sport's history to win a Super Bowl and a college football national championship, and Meyer would join that list if he is able to earn the Lombardi Trophy for the Jaguars.

"He knew what he was getting into when he accepted the job," Johnson said. "We had numerous conversations during the job process. And I think he'll do a great job. He knows how important personnel is. He knows how to deal with people."

If his collegiate achievements are any indication, Meyer will find success.

The 57-year-old won three national championships during a career that included coaching stops at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. He went 187-32 during that span and won double-digit games in each of his seven seasons with the Buckeyes.

It will surely take some time for Meyer to find that type of success in Jacksonville considering the team went 1-15 during the 2020 campaign. 

It at least has a potential franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence after selecting the Clemson product with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 draft, and whether Meyer can help him unlock his full potential will go a long way toward determining the immediate and long-term future for the Jags.

For now, though, he would just like to spend more time with his players.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and head coach Urban Meyer have been subpoenaed in connection to the hiring and quick resignation of former Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.

Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union reported the subpoenas are part of a civil lawsuit filed against Iowa by eight former members of the Hawkeyes football team.

"We respect and will cooperate with the legal process as required," the Jaguars said in a statement. "However, the Jaguars have no information that would be relevant to the lawsuit between student-athletes and the University of Iowa."

According to Smits, the plaintiffs are looking for a separation agreement between Doyle and the team, his resume, and any communication between Doyle and team officials since January 2021, among other documents.

The school reached a separation agreement with Doyle in June 2020 after he faced allegations of mistreating players.

Former defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba alleged Doyle told a player once during a weightlifting session that he'd "put you back on the streets."

Former linebacker Terrance Pryor said Doyle once suggested he should take up rowing before adding, "Oh wait, Black people don't like boats in water do they??"

Iowa commissioned an investigation into the program by the law firm Husch Blackwell. The scope of the investigation expanded beyond Doyle and into the wider culture the coaches had cultivated.

"In sum, the program's rules perpetuated racial or cultural biases and diminished the value of cultural diversity," the firm said. "The program over-monitored players to the point that they experienced heightened anxiety and maintained a culture that allowed a small group of coaches to demean players."

That led many to criticize the Jaguars for bringing Doyle onto the staff. He had never worked in an NFL coaching role, either, which was another point of contention.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance said Meyer's explanation for the hire "reflects the good ol' boy network that is precisely the reason there is such a disparity in employment opportunities for Black coaches."

Doyle resigned in February, one day after accepting the job of director of sports performance.

Meyer also addressed the situation in March and told reporters he "saw the impact of the decision and the distraction it caused."

Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, agreed to a four-year, $36.8 million rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported details of the deal, which includes a fifth-year team option.

Lawrence, 21, is one of the most prized quarterback prospects in history. He was rated as the sixth-best recruit in college football history by 247Sports when he came out of Cartersville High School in Georgia, and he had no trouble living up to those sky-high expectations at Clemson.

The 2020 ACC Player of the Year completed 66.6 percent of his throws for 10,098 yards with 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions across 40 appearances for the Tigers. He added 943 rushing yards and 18 scores on the ground to further establish himself as the top choice in a star-studded QB class.

His presence likely played a major role in Urban Meyer's willingness to rejoin the coaching ranks with a team coming off a 1-15 season. Lawrence is the type of franchise-altering player who only comes around once a decade—as close to a sure thing as possible in the hit-or-miss world of prospect forecasting.

"I'm going to put the work in; no one's going to work harder," Lawrence told reporters after the draft. "I know I'm going to love the city. So, I'm super-excited to be there. I feel really good about the coaching staff and the team we have in Jacksonville. I'm just pumped."

The 6'6", 213-pound signal-caller has all the tools to make an immediate impact as the Jaguars' starter with plenty of talent around him to ease the transition.

Jacksonville drafted running back Travis Etienne, Lawrence's former Clemson teammate, later in the first round to help lead a backfield that also features James Robinson and Carlos Hyde.

The Jags also have a trio of wide receivers in DJ Chark Jr., Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. to give the rookie ample options in the passing game.

When you combine Lawrence's talent with the number of playmakers around him, he should be considered the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, and he vastly improves the Jaguars' long-term outlook.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller says he's open to helping mentor Tim Tebow in his transition to the position.

"If he thinks he can learn from me, then I'd love to help him and help make his transition smoother," Waller told TMZ Sports.

Tebow, a former quarterback, is attempting to make the Jacksonville Jaguars roster as a tight end despite having never played the position. He's also 33 years old and nine years removed from being on a regular-season NFL roster.

The likelihood of Tebow having success making the switch—something he opted against during his athletic prime—appears slim. However, Waller has faith in Tebow's ability to overcome the odds.

"Football is in his blood," Waller said. "So, I feel like he'll find a way. He'll find a way. He's physical, he's athletic. So, I wish him nothing but the best going forward."

Tebow hasn't stood out during the Jaguars' offseason workouts, so perhaps it's a good idea for the 2007 Heisman winner to seek out Waller's counsel.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. said Friday the team is going to "shock a lot of people" during the 2021 season.

Chark discussed his outlook and expectations for the Jags' upcoming campaign on NFL Network's NFL Total Access:

Just to go out there and compete, be better than what we were last year. The 1-15 season is somewhere that we don't want to go back. Everyone that's here understands that. The guys that came in came from a lot of winning programs, so we're trying to develop that winning culture and just that comradery here, and I think we're going to do really good. I think we're gonna shock a lot of people. I'm not one of the people that's huge on setting record goals or anything like that, or saying how many wins or losses we're gonna have, but we're gonna be an exciting football team for sure.

Jacksonville certainly has plenty of reasons for optimism after an offseason overhaul.

The Jaguars hired Urban Meyer, who posted a 187-32 record and won three national championships at the collegiate level, as their new head coach and selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012, with the first overall pick in the draft.

They also had three other picks inside the draft's top 50, which allowed them to bring in Clemson running back Travis Etienne, Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell and Stanford offensive tackle Walker Little.

In addition, the Jags added wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency but focused most of their free-agent resources on upgrading the defense, led by the signings of cornerback Shaquill Griffin, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.

The sheer amount of talent around Lawrence—Chark, Jones, Etienne, James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Laviska Shenault Jr.—combined with the defensive improvements should put the Jaguars on the fast track up the standings beginning this season.

Chark expressed excitement about the aerial attack's upside on NFL Total Access:

We take a lot of responsibility and accountability when it comes to the passing game. Marvin coming in, [he's] a dynamic player. Laviska being young and so dynamic, me still trying to reach new heights. I think we have a lot to prove, but I think it's gonna come together real smooth. And definitely being able to have Trevor back there, it's crazy how that he's so young and so talented. So, the sky is the limit, really, with us right now. We don't know how great we can be, but we know we can be great, for sure.

Given the widespread alterations to the roster and the coaching change, it could take a while for everything to start clicking for the Jaguars, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see them take off at some point.

A mostly favorable schedule, which ranks 18th based on their opponents' combined 2020 winning percentage, should also work in their favor during the NFL's first 17-game season.

So Chark is right: keep an eye on Jacksonville in 2021.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, reportedly hasn't signed his rookie contract because of ongoing discussions about whether there should be offset language in the deal.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the update Thursday on SportsCenter:

"Lawrence's contract is not done, it's probably a bit of a standoff because with these rookie deals it's about offset language in those third and fourth years. If somebody gets injured, then the offset language can play a part. I'm told Jacksonville hasn't found a sweet spot yet. They haven't relented on wanting the offset language in the deal. So that could mean that this takes a little bit of time for them to come to an agreement. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick behind him with the Jets, he's waiting as well. So, those dominoes will fall into place, but it could just be closer to training camp."

The NFL's rookie wage scale has made deals with incoming players pretty straightforward and minimized holdouts among draftees in recent years, but the use of offset language has typically been the sticking point whenever contract talks do linger.

In Lawrence's case, he's projected to receive a four-year, $36.7 million contract from the Jags, who will also hold a fifth-year team option, per Spotrac.

Offset language comes into play if a player is released during their rookie deal. With the language, any guaranteed money the player receives in a contract from another team is removed from the amount owed by his original team. Without it, the team remains on the hook for the full amount with no impact based on the new deal the player signs elsewhere.

It shouldn't be a major issue when it comes to Lawrence and the Jaguars since his chances of getting released inside the next four years are virtually zero, but there's also an element players and agents trying to set the standard for future rookies, as well.

Regardless, there's no reason to believe the 21-year-old Clemson product won't be on the field when the Jaguars open training camp July 27.

Lawrence is coming off a decorated college career that saw him complete 66.6 percent of his throws for 10,098 yards with 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions across 40 games for the Tigers. He added 943 rushing yards and 18 scores on the ground.

The Jags feature ample playmaking talent—James Robinson, Travis Etienne, D.J. Chark Jr, Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr.—which should allow him to make a smooth transition to the NFL and make him a strong contender for Rookie of the Year honors.

After June's minicamp, the prized prospect credited offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and passing game assistant Brian Schottenheimer for helping him learn the offense quickly.

"[The learning process] has been great. Obviously two great offensive minds that have been able to work together and come up with a great scheme," Lawrence told reporters. "I think the best thing about the offense is it gives the quarterback a lot of answers. So, you have a lot of tools, you just have to know how to use them."

The quarterback's arrival combined with the hire of new head coach Urban Meyer gives the Jags a chance to make substantial strides after posting an NFL-worst 1-15 record last year.

Their new era will begin when they open the regular season Sept. 12 by visiting the AFC South rival Houston Texans.