The Jacksonville Jaguars officially re-signed cornerback Keith Taylor on February 20, 2026, ensuring his continued presence with the team for the upcoming NFL season. This move solidifies the Jaguars’ investment in Taylor, who joined the team late in the 2025 season and was set to enter restricted free agency in March.
By agreeing to a new deal, the Jaguars maintain control over Taylor, whose five-year NFL career includes his first season with Jacksonville in 2025, where he quickly made his mark in the defensive backfield.
Overview of Jaguars’ 2026 Free-Agent Retentions
Alongside Keith Taylor, the Jaguars have made several key re-signings during the 2026 offseason, focusing on retaining crucial defensive and offensive players. These moves reflect Jacksonville’s approach to building continuity and depth ahead of the new season.
Taylor, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, was originally signed by the Jaguars on December 25, 2025. As a restricted free agent, the team utilized its right of first refusal and tender options to keep the cornerback on the roster without risking losing him to competing offers.
Details on Keith Taylor’s Role and Background
Wearing jersey number 32, Taylor hails from the University of Washington, where he showcased the skills that have translated to his NFL career. His stature at 6-3 provides a physical advantage in coverage, marking him as a significant component of the Jaguars’ secondary.
Entering his fifth NFL season, Taylor spent the 2025 year with Jacksonville after signing midseason. His re-signing demonstrates the Jaguars’ confidence in his ability to contribute to their defensive schemes.
Jaguars Retain Key Defensive and Offensive Players in 2026
Other notable Jaguars re-signings include cornerback Christian Braswell, who inked a new deal on February 19. Now in his third NFL season and with three years on the Jacksonville roster, Braswell contributed in 17 games last season and demonstrated solid defensive stats, including fourteen tackles and three passes defensed.
Running back DeeJay Dallas, signed in December 2025, was re-signed on February 16 after appearing in three games late in the 2025 campaign. His contributions included two rushes totaling 21 yards and an impressive kickoff return average of 30 yards.
Defensive tackle Matt Dickerson also secured a return to Jacksonville on February 16. In 2025, Dickerson played eight games with four starts, adding ten tackles and notable defensive penetration with one tackle for loss.
Players Scheduled to Become Unrestricted Free Agents in 2026
Looking ahead to the offseason, several Jaguars veterans are positioned to enter unrestricted free agency on March 11. This group includes wide receiver Dyami Brown, who played 13 games in 2025 with six starts and recorded 20 receptions for 227 yards and one touchdown during his sixth NFL season.
Cornerback Montaric Brown, a fifth-year player and seventh–round 2022 draft pick, began 12 games last season and tallied team-high statistics such as 12 passes defensed and two interceptions. Additionally, running back Travis Etienne Jr., drafted 25th overall in 2021, led the team with over 1,100 rushing yards and combined 13 total touchdowns between rushing and receiving in 2025.
Other unrestricted free agents include linebacker Dennis Gardeck, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and tight end Quintin Morris, each a crucial presence during the 2025 campaign. This group features multiple starters with varying levels of experience and production.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah round out several defensive contributors leaving as UFAs, as do wide receiver Tim Patrick and defensive end Dawuane Smoot, each adding depth and experience to the roster over recent seasons.
Safety Andrew Wingard also faces unrestricted free agency after making 16 starts last season, contributing 84 tackles and nine passes defensed, showcasing his role as a steady defender in the secondary.
Understanding the Contract Statuses Among Jaguars Players
Free agent classifications vary based on experience and contract history. Restricted free agents like Keith Taylor have completed three NFL seasons with an expired contract and can entertain offers from other teams, but the original team preserves rights to match offers or receive draft compensation. Exclusive rights free agents, such as receiver Joshua Cephus, have fewer than three accrued seasons and, upon receiving a minimum tender, cannot negotiate with other clubs.
Building on the Foundation: What This Means for Jacksonville’s Future
The Jaguars’ approach in re-signing Keith Taylor and other key performers reflects a targeted strategy to maintain a core of players familiar with the team system as they prepare for the 2026 season. Retaining promising defensive backs like Taylor and Braswell aims to strengthen a secondary that will face skilled offenses in the AFC South and beyond.
Simultaneously, the impending unrestricted free agency status of players like Travis Etienne Jr. and Dyami Brown will present critical roster decisions as the Jaguars balance compensation for veteran contributors with the opportunity to acquire new talent through free agency or the draft.
The next few months will be pivotal as Jacksonville refines its roster through negotiations, draft selections, and potential trades, setting the tone for another competitive year in the NFL.
