The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal with former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse that includes $7 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Morse, who turns 32 next month, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs where Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was the team’s offensive coordinator. After four seasons in Kansas City, Morse joined the Bills in 2019 and played the next five years in Buffalo.
After the Bills released Morse as part of a series of moves made by the team to clear cap space, he first visited the Pittsburgh Steelers before traveling to visit the Jaguars.
In Jacksonville, he’ll likely be the team’s new starting center, replacing Luke Fortner in the role. A 2022 third-round pick, Fortner struggled in his second season and received a 44.3 grade from PFF, second worst in the NFL at the position ahead of only Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz.
Earlier this month, the Jaguars re-signed guard Ezra Cleveland and restructured the contract of guard Brandon Scherff. With left tackle Cam Robinson also expected to return and 2023 first-rounder Anton Harrison at right tackle, Jacksonville appears to have its 2024 starting offensive line already put together.
As a player who was released rather than reaching free agency on an expired contract, Morse won’t count against the Jaguars’ compensatory draft pick formula in 2025.
