The Jaguars locked up their franchise quarterback and star edge rusher for the long haul this offseason. While contract extensions won’t often be more compelling than those for such premier positions, there remains intrigue regarding who Jacksonville will pay next.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, safety Andre Cisco’s contract situation is the one to watch next in Jacksonville.
The rising fourth-year pro has developed into one of the NFL’s top ball-hawking defensive backs in recent seasons and became eligible for a new deal this offseason. His rookie contract will expire next March.
The Jaguars already have the big ones out of the way with Lawrence and linebacker Josh Allen, so Cisco is one to watch. Just 24 years old, Cisco is an ascending player who could be on the verge of a true breakout in his contract year. Now, after a tough offseason for the safety market, there’s added intrigue with how teams will choose to pay their safeties, which adds mystery to Cisco’s situation.
Cisco has tallied 161 total tackles including two for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 17 defended passes and three forced fumbles. He accumulated all his interceptions over his two seasons in a full-time starting role, 2022-23, tied for seventh-most among NFL defensive backs in that span.
Jaguars Wire identified Cisco as one of the potential candidates for Jacksonville’s next contract extension in June.
But as Howe mentioned, the NFL safety market is in a weird spot and that reality could impact Cisco’s negotiations with the Jaguars.
While Tampa Bay made Antoine Winfield Jr. the league’s highest-paid defensive back with a $21 million average annual value in May, at least seven starting safeties from 2023 were released this offseason, including Rayshawn Jenkins by Jacksonville.
Jenkins’ average annual value with Jacksonville was $8.75 million. The Jaguars signed safety Darnell Savage Jr. after Jenkins’ release on a deal worth $7.25 million annually.
“[It’s part of a] larger financial trend,” an anonymous NFL executive previously told The Athletic. “The market got too high for the position’s impact overall.”
Will the Jaguars continue following the trend when it comes to Cisco’s looming second contract, or buck it? Time will ultimately tell.
