Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves

For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2024 NFL season was a tale of two units: a high-powered offense led by Trevor Lawrence that averaged 26.8 points per game (10th in the league) and a defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in nearly every key category. Those defensive shortcomings—from a porous run defense to a secondary that surrendered too many big plays—ultimately derailed the Jaguars’ playoff hopes, as they finished 8-8 and missed the postseason by one game. The struggles were impossible to ignore, and they became the catalyst for a sweeping offseason overhaul aimed at transforming the defense from a liability into a strength. Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves isn’t just a story of roster changes; it’s a reflection of the team’s commitment to fixing its biggest weakness and building a balanced squad capable of competing for an AFC South title. Every move the Jaguars made this offseason—from free-agent signings to draft picks to coaching adjustments—can be traced back to specific failures on defense in 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves first became evident when looking at the Jaguars’ run defense, which was among the worst in the NFL last season. Opposing teams rushed for an average of 142.3 yards per game against Jacksonville (28th in the league) and scored 18 rushing touchdowns (26th). The issues were particularly glaring against elite running backs: Derrick Henry of the Titans rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns in their two matchups, while the Texans’ Dameon Pierce averaged 6.5 yards per carry against the Jaguars. The defensive line, which lacked both depth and playmaking ability, struggled to clog run lanes, and the linebackers often took poor angles to the ball carrier. This inability to stop the run forced the Jaguars into predictable defensive looks—often using extra defensive backs to counter passing plays, which only made them more vulnerable to the run. “Our run defense was a disaster last season,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke admitted in a post-season press conference. “We couldn’t stop anyone, and it put our entire defense in a bind. Fixing that was our top priority this offseason.”

Another critical issue that fueled Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves was the secondary’s inability to limit big plays. The Jaguars allowed 29 passes of 40+ yards (third-most in the NFL) and 15 touchdowns on plays of 20+ yards (tied for fourth-most). Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 102.4 against Jacksonville’s secondary (27th in the league), and the unit recorded just 11 interceptions all season. The problems stemmed from a combination of poor coverage technique, miscommunication between defensive backs, and a lack of speed at the cornerback position. Starting cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who signed a four-year, $44 million deal in 2023, struggled to keep up with fast wide receivers, allowing a 72% completion rate when targeted. The safety position was also a revolving door, with the Jaguars using four different starters due to injuries and inconsistent play. “We gave up too many easy touchdowns last season,” defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said. “Opposing teams knew they could beat us deep, and they exploited that every week. We needed to add talent, improve our technique, and fix our communication—and that’s exactly what we set out to do this offseason.”

Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves led the Jacksonville Jaguars to be aggressive in free agency, targeting players who could immediately address their biggest defensive needs. The team’s most notable signing was defensive tackle Linval Joseph, a 13-year veteran who has been a staple of top-ranked run defenses throughout his career. Joseph, who signed a two-year, \(12 million deal, has recorded 31.5 career sacks and has never allowed more than 4.0 yards per rushing attempt in a season. The Jaguars also added cornerback James Bradberry, a four-time Pro Bowler, to fix their secondary issues. Bradberry, who signed a three-year, \)45 million contract, allowed just 3 deep touchdowns in 2024 and has a career opposing passer rating of 81.2. To add depth at safety, the Jaguars signed Darnell Savage, a six-year veteran who has 11 career interceptions and has played in 96 NFL games. “These signings weren’t just about adding talent—they were about adding proven winners who know how to fix the exact issues we had last season,” Baalke said. The Jacksonville Jaguars also made key re-signings, including safety Andre Cisco, who recorded three interceptions in 2024, to ensure continuity in the secondary.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves also influenced the Jacksonville Jaguars’ approach to the 2025 NFL Draft, where they focused on adding young, athletic talent to the defense. With their first-round pick (17th overall), the Jaguars selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke, a 6’1” speedster who ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Burke recorded 7 interceptions and 24 pass breakups in college and is expected to compete for a starting cornerback spot immediately. In the second round, the Jaguars drafted Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who recorded 7 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his final college season. Graham’s quickness off the line of scrimmage will help the Jaguars generate more interior pressure, which they sorely lacked in 2024 (they recorded just 28 sacks, 25th in the league). The Jaguars also used a third-round pick on Alabama safety Brian Branch, a versatile player who can play both free safety and nickel corner. “The draft was an opportunity to add young talent that can grow with our team,” Baalke explained. “Burke, Graham, and Branch are all players who address specific weaknesses we had last season, and they have the potential to be long-term starters.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the draft picks complemented their free-agent signings, creating a mix of veteran leadership and young athleticism on defense.

The final takeaway from Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 Defensive Struggles Drive Offseason Moves is that the Jaguars didn’t just make changes—they made intentional, data-driven moves aimed at fixing the exact issues that cost them a playoff spot in 2024. Every free-agent signing, draft pick, and coaching adjustment can be traced back to a specific defensive shortcoming: Joseph and Graham to fix the run defense, Bradberry and Burke to improve the secondary, and Savage and Branch to add depth and versatility. The Jaguars also made changes to their coaching staff, hiring Terrell Williams as defensive line coach and bringing in a specialist in secondary communication to fix the unit’s miscommunication issues. Early signs from OTAs are promising: the defense has allowed just 18 points in three scrimmages, and the run defense has held opposing rushers to an average of 3.2 yards per carry. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the offseason moves are more than just a reset—they’re a statement that they’re committed to building a balanced, championship-caliber team. If the defense can live up to its potential in 2025, the Jaguars have a legitimate chance to win the AFC South and make a deep playoff run. And it all started with acknowledging their 2024 struggles and taking decisive action to fix them.