Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hoping to dial back reliance on free agency after latest spending spree

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars were big spenders in free agency again — and general manager Trent Baalke hopes it's the last time.

The Jaguars signed seven players this week to contracts totaling $259.5 million with $155.25 million in guarantees. The better use of that money would be on players the team has drafted instead of trying to bring in outsiders to make up for the numerous draft mistakes the franchise has continually made over the past decade.

That's where Baalke and coach Doug Pederson hope to be within the next several years, but for now it's a giant open checkbook.

«We're trying to fix this thing long term, have a vision for the future as we build this thing out, and right now it's a combination of free agency and the draft,» Baalke said Wednesday. «We hope to get this organization to the point where we're not relying on free agency as much. We're relying on our drafts and giving second contracts to those guys.»

Of the seven players signed this week, receiver Christian Kirk had the highest guaranteed money ($37 million) followed by guard Brandon Scherff ($30 million), linebacker Foyesade Oluokun ($28 million), defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi ($20 million), cornerback Darious Williams ($18 million), receiver Zay Jones ($14 million) and tight end Evan Engram ($8.25 million). All of those players will be 29 or younger when the 2022 season begins except for Scherff, who will be 30.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent $259.5 million, including $155.25 million guaranteed, to sign seven players via free agency.

The Jaguars still have to find another edge rusher to pair with Josh Allen and Dawuane Smoot, another receiver, at least one more linebacker, and figure out who will start at left guard,