Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars

In the NFL, a reliable secondary is the last line of defense against high-powered passing attacks—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the safety duo of Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard has emerged as the steady backbone of a unit that’s quickly rising in the league ranks. Entering the 2024 season, the pair has solidified their roles as starters, combining Murray’s veteran experience with Wingard’s gritty playstyle to create a safety tandem that excels in both coverage and run support. Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a testament to their individual talents; it’s a recognition of how their complementary skills have fixed a longstanding Jaguars weakness—turning a secondary that ranked 25th in pass defense in 2022 into one that finished 14th in 2023. With the Jaguars chasing an AFC South title and playoff success, Murray and Wingard’s ability to limit big plays, force turnovers, and communicate seamlessly with the rest of the defense will be critical to stopping divisional rivals like the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud and Indianapolis Colts’ Gardner Minshew.

Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars shines a light on the distinct strengths each safety brings to the field, creating a balanced duo that covers every facet of the position. Murray, a nine-year NFL veteran, is the “field general” of the secondary, using his encyclopedic knowledge of defensive schemes to read offenses and adjust coverages on the fly. At 6’0” and 210 pounds, he excels in zone coverage, where his ability to anticipate routes and close quickly on receivers has led to 3 interceptions and 8 pass breakups over the past two seasons with the Jaguars. What sets Murray apart is his leadership; he’s often the first to call out offensive formations during pre-snap, ensuring cornerbacks and linebackers are aligned correctly—a skill honed during stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns. Wingard, meanwhile, is a physical force at 6’0” and 209 pounds, thriving in run support and man-to-man coverage against tight ends. A former undrafted free agent who worked his way up from special teams, Wingard recorded 97 tackles and 2 forced fumbles in 2023, using his low center of gravity and aggressive tackling style to stop runners in their tracks. Together, they form a “two-way” safety pair: Murray handles the mental heavy lifting and zone coverage, Wingard brings the physicality and man-to-man skills, and opposing offenses can’t exploit a single weakness in the Jaguars’ deep defense.

Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars also reflects the intentional chemistry they’ve built off the field, which translates directly to their on-field performance. Unlike many NFL duos who only connect during practice, Murray and Wingard spend extra time together studying film, breaking down opponents’ passing tendencies, and even practicing pre-snap hand signals to avoid miscommunication. This off-field work paid dividends in a Week 12 win over the Tennessee Titans in 2023, when the pair combined to shut down Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo—holding him to just 2 catches for 15 yards after he’d averaged 50 yards per game in the previous month. Wingard later credited their film sessions, noting, “Eric and I watched every snap Okonkwo took in the last three weeks. We knew his go-to routes, his tendencies when he’s lined up in the slot—we were ready for anything.” Their communication was also key in a Week 8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, where Murray recognized a Saints trick play pre-snap and signaled to Wingard to shift into a deeper zone, resulting in an interception that halted a potential game-tying drive. This level of trust and coordination is rare for NFL secondaries, and it’s a big reason the Jaguars have cut down on coverage busts by 40% since Murray and Wingard became full-time starters in 2022.

Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars has a direct impact on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ ability to complement their edge-rushing duo of Josh Allen and Travon Walker. A strong pass rush and a reliable secondary work in tandem—pressure from Allen and Walker forces quarterbacks to throw quickly, while Murray and Wingard are there to intercept rushed passes or break up deep attempts. Last season, the Jaguars recorded 18 takeaways, with 7 of those coming from the secondary—and 4 of those from Murray or Wingard. This synergy was on full display in a Week 14 win over the Colts, where Allen sacked Minshew, forcing a hurried throw that Murray intercepted in the end zone to seal the victory. Without Murray and Wingard’s ability to capitalize on the pass rush’s pressure, the Jaguars would miss out on critical turnovers that swing momentum. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell has even designed packages that leverage this synergy, using Murray and Wingard to fake blitzes before dropping into coverage—confusing quarterbacks who are already worried about Allen and Walker’s rush. This combination of pass rush and secondary play has made the Jaguars’ defense one of the most unpredictable in the AFC, and it’s a big reason they’re considered playoff contenders in 2024.

Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights their role in mentoring the Jaguars’ young cornerbacks, who are still developing into consistent starters. The Jaguars’ cornerback group includes third-year player Tyson Campbell, who showed promise in 2023 but struggled with penalties, and rookie Christian Braswell, a sixth-round pick who’s learning the ropes of NFL coverage. Murray and Wingard have taken both players under their wing, sharing tips on how to read quarterbacks’ eyes, adjust to different route trees, and stay disciplined in zone coverage. In practice, Murray often runs through coverage drills with Campbell, showing him how to use his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. Wingard, meanwhile, works with Braswell on tackling technique, helping him avoid the costly penalties that plagued young defensive backs. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ cornerbacks improved dramatically in the second half of 2023, with Campbell cutting his penalty rate in half and Braswell recording his first career interception in Week 17—and both credited Murray and Wingard’s mentorship. This leadership isn’t just about improving individual players; it’s about building a sustainable secondary that can compete for years, even as roster turnover occurs.

Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars concludes with the long-term value this duo brings to the Jaguars’ franchise, both on and off the field. Murray is under contract through 2025, and Wingard signed a three-year extension in 2023, meaning they’ll anchor the secondary for at least two more seasons—providing the stability the Jaguars haven’t had at safety since the days of Johnathan Cyprien. Beyond their on-field production, they’ve set a standard of professionalism for younger defensive backs, showing that hard work and attention to detail can turn undrafted players (like Wingard) or journeymen (like Murray) into key contributors. For the Jaguars, who are building a team to compete for Super Bowls, this duo is a reminder that success doesn’t always come from high draft picks—it comes from finding players who fit the system, work well together, and embrace their roles. Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard Anchor Secondary for Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a story about two safeties; it’s a story about how the right pairing can transform a struggling unit into a strength. As the 2024 season begins, all eyes will be on Murray and Wingard, waiting to see if they can lead the Jaguars’ secondary to even greater heights—and help the team take the next step toward a championship.