Jaguars’ top 4 free agent targets after crushing playoff loss to Bills

The Jacksonville Jaguars just found out what happens when momentum meets reality. It was painful. For most of the 2025 season, Jacksonville looked like a team on a mission. Young, fast, aggressive, and playing with confidence, they steamrolled their way from afterthought to AFC contender. That’s what made their Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills sting so much. This wasn’t a rebuilding team happy to be here but a group that believed it could go further. Instead, one cold January afternoon exposed roster pressure points that can’t be ignored. The good news? Jacksonville is close. The bad news? Close isn’t enough in the AFC. The 2026 offseason will be about sharpening the blade, not reinventing it.

Resetting the timeline

There were moments that defined belief like Lawrence’s late-game poise and a defense that tightened up when it mattered, They even made some history thanks to Cam Little’s jaw-dropping 68-yard field goal that symbolized a team playing without fear.

And yet, they were reminded of how unforgiving the postseason can be. Against Buffalo, Jacksonville moved the ball, traded blows, and stayed competitive until the final whistle. However, they couldn’t get the decisive stop or play when it mattered most.

Offseason needs

Unlike many playoff exits, Jacksonville’s doesn’t trigger panic. This is more about contention not desperation because this roster works. The quarterback is elite. The coaching staff has clarity. Of course, contenders don’t stand still. The Jaguars enter the 2026 offseason with targeted needs rather than sweeping ones.

Cornerback sits at the top of the list. Greg Newsome’s potential free agency leaves a hole on the perimeter, and depth behind him remains thin. Against quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Aaron Rodgers, coverage lapses are fatal.

The offensive line is next. Lawrence stayed upright more often than not in 2025. That said, the looming free agency for Ezra Cleveland and Cole Van Lanen threatens continuity. Interior depth and versatility will be critical to sustaining high-level quarterback play.

Running back is less urgent, but still relevant. If Travis Etienne Jr departs, Jacksonville will need a reliable option who fits its evolving offensive identity. That’s ideally without spending premium draft capital, especially after trading away their 2026 first-round pick.

That context shapes Jacksonville’s free agency priorities. Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top 4 free agent targets after crushing playoff loss to Bills.

Jaylen Watson, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

If Jacksonville is serious about surviving January football in the AFC, it must upgrade the cornerback room. Jaylen Watson isn’t a headline-grabber, but he’s exactly the kind of player playoff teams need. He is long, physical, and comfortable in both zone and man concepts. Watson has also proven he can hold up in high-stakes environments. Playing in Kansas City’s pressure-heavy system forced him to grow quickly. That experience translates well to Jacksonville’s needs.

If Newsome departs, Watson offers a cost-effective, reliable solution who raises the secondary’s floor. He also gives the Jags flexibility against elite quarterbacks.

Austin Johnson, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars

Sometimes the smartest move is the simplest one. The Jags must resign Austin Johnson. He may not rack up sacks, but his value to Jacksonville’s defensive interior is undeniable. He anchors against the run, absorbs blocks, and allows the Jaguars’ faster defenders to flow freely. Letting him walk would create an immediate hole. It’s one that’s difficult to fill given the team’s draft constraints.

Re-signing Johnson isn’t flashy, but it’s foundational. Championship defenses are built from the inside out. Jacksonville learned against Buffalo how important interior stability becomes late in games.

Andrew Wingard, S, Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Wingard’s story mirrors the Jaguars’ evolution. Once viewed primarily as a depth piece, Wingard re-established himself as a full-time starter in 2025. He thrived within the new defensive scheme. His communication, physicality, and football IQ provided stability in a secondary that often relied on cohesion more than star power.

Letting Wingard walk would introduce unnecessary volatility at a time when Jacksonville needs continuity. Bringing him back ensures leadership, familiarity, and depth. Those are three things that playoff teams can never have too much of.

The running back question

If Etienne Jr departs, Jacksonville won’t be scrambling but shopping. The 2026 free-agent class is unusually deep at running back. This offers Jacksonville options across every stylistic profile. They can look at the downhill reliability of Rico Dowdle or the bounce-back upside of Javonte Williams. They can also consider the all-around explosiveness of Breece Hall or the consistency of Kenneth Walker III. Whatever their preference, the Jaguars can find a fit without overcommitting financially.

This flexibility matters. Jacksonville doesn’t need a superstar here, just efficiency, durability, and fit alongside Lawrence. Free agency provides that opportunity without sacrificing draft capital.

Why this offseason matters

Jacksonville’s playoff loss wasn’t a failure but a checkpoint. The Jaguars have arrived earlier than expected. That changes how they must operate. The AFC isn’t forgiving, and standing pat after a Wild Card exit is how windows quietly close.

The Jaguars must be carful not to chase headlines. They just need to close gaps. Smart, targeted free agent moves can turn a painful playoff loss into a launching point. Jacksonville is already playoff-relevant. Now, they have to build toward being playoff-dominant.

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