In Jacksonville, tight end Quintin Morris and linebacker Dennis Gardeck have secured new contracts with the Jaguars as the NFL approaches the 2026 league year starting Wednesday. Both players re-signed on Monday, joining cornerback Montaric Brown, who agreed to an extension earlier the same day. These moves aim to retain vital contributors as the Jaguars prepare for the upcoming season, reinforcing the roster’s continuity and depth.
Overview of Recent Free Agent Contract Renewals for the Jaguars
Several free agents have continued their tenure with the Jaguars through recent contract agreements. Among notable re-signings are Montaric Brown, Dennis Gardeck, and Quintin Morris, each bringing valuable experience and presence to their respective positions. The Jaguars’ strategy continues to focus on maintaining a solid core as the team anticipates the challenges of the 2026 NFL season.
Profiles of Key Jaguars Players Recently Re-Signed
Montaric Brown: Defensive Stability in the Secondary
Cornerback Montaric Brown, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, played his fifth NFL season with the Jaguars from 2022 through 2025. Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Brown earned twelve starts in 2025 and appeared in 15 games overall. His 2025 stats include two interceptions, a team-leading 12 passes defensed, and 47 total tackles, 39 of which were solo efforts. Brown’s renewed contract on March 9 secures his role as a defensive asset moving forward.
Dennis Gardeck: Veteran Leadership at Linebacker
Linebacker Dennis Gardeck, a 6-foot, 232-pound player from Sioux Falls, reached his ninth NFL season this year and completed his first with the Jaguars in 2025 after signing as an unrestricted free agent in June 2025. Gardeck started six games and took part in 17 during the last season, recording two and a half sacks, 37 tackles, including 24 solo stops, and six tackles for loss. His March 9 contract extension indicates the Jaguars’ trust in his on-field impact and locker room presence.
Quintin Morris: Tight End Contributes to Offensive Options
Tight end Quintin Morris, measuring 6-foot-2 and 243 pounds out of Bowling Green, entered his fifth NFL season with the Jaguars in 2025 after joining the team as an unrestricted free agent in May 2025. Morris made five starts while appearing in 14 games last season, tallying six receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. His contract renewal on March 9 represents a significant step in maintaining continuity at the tight end position for the Jaguars.
Additional Jacksonville Players Receiving New Contracts
The Jaguars have also re-signed several other players, reinforcing multiple positions across the roster. Cornerbacks Keith Taylor and Christian Braswell, running backs DeeJay Dallas and Travis Etienne Jr., defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, and others have continued their engagements with Jacksonville under new deals or tenders signed earlier this offseason. For example, Keith Taylor was re-signed on February 20 after joining the team late in 2025 and was approaching restricted free agent status.
Current Players Scheduled to Become Unrestricted Free Agents in March 2026
A group of Jaguars players is set to become unrestricted free agents (UFA) as of March 11, 2026, including wide receiver Dyami Brown, running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Dennis Gardeck, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, linebacker Devin Lloyd, cornerback Greg Newsome II, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, wide receiver Tim Patrick, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, and safety Andrew Wingard. These players have varying levels of experience and contributions to recent seasons, with some being key starters and others providing depth or special teams support.
For instance, Travis Etienne Jr., a sixth-year running back from Clemson, led the team in rushing yards with 1,107 on the ground and added 292 receiving yards with six touchdowns last season. Devin Lloyd, selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, earned a second-team Associated Press All-Pro honor after registering five interceptions and 74 total tackles in 2025. The approaching free agency period will be critical for the Jaguars as they evaluate retaining or restructuring contracts for these key contributors.
Understanding Contract Status Categories for Jaguars Players
The Jaguars’ roster features players under different free agency statuses impacting their contract negotiations and potential team changes. Restricted free agents (RFAs) like Keith Taylor have accumulated three seasons with expired contracts but can receive qualifying offers with rights of first refusal or draft pick compensation. Exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs), such as wide receiver Joshua Cephus, have fewer than three accrued seasons with expired contracts and may only sign with their current team if offered a minimum contract.
These designations influence how the Jaguars manage roster stability amidst the volatile NFL offseason, managing contract extensions and tenders to retain emerging talent and veterans alike.
Significance of These Re-Signings for the Jaguars’ 2026 Outlook
By securing Quintin Morris, Dennis Gardeck, Montaric Brown, and others ahead of the league year, the Jaguars demonstrate a commitment to stabilizing their lineup amid an intense and uncertain offseason environment. Maintaining continuity with key contributors helps the team build chemistry and address positional needs without the disruptions of losing experienced players. These contract decisions allow Jacksonville to focus on strengthening other roster areas through the draft and free agency, preparing for a competitive 2026 campaign.
