Whether it’s in the NBA, NFL, or any other league, small-market teams often struggle to lure big-name players.
For whatever reason, some destinations just aren’t as appealing as big-time cities and franchises.
That’s why those kinds of teams must be aware of that when building their roster.
They have to take a long-term approach with the players they take in the NFL Draft and trade for, knowing that their stars will always be tempted to pursue a greener grass somewhere else once they hit free agency or become eligible for big-time deals.
Notably, that’s what Shad Khan is trying to do with the Jacksonville Jaguars (via Around the NFL)
Talking to the team’s official website, the Jaguars owner claimed that the team can’t be ‘addicted’ to free agents, and that he aimed to build a long and successful team through the NFL Draft instead:
“Our solution isn’t going to be we’re going to be signing free agents every year. We don’t have the ability. Bottom line is that young talent has to be developed. The coaching, the coaching staff, their priorities have to change. Their mindset has to change. That’s where we’re going to get our future players,” he said. “We cannot have this addiction to free agents.”
Jaguars owner Shad Khan aims to build through draft: “We cannot have this addiction to free agents”https://t.co/OSRm2Y4ccS pic.twitter.com/TmLpljYr5d
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 7, 2024
They currently have two building blocks and homegrown players to lead the way, one on each side of the field.
They gave QB Trevor Lawrence and DE Josh Allen very lucrative contract extensions to make sure to keep them there for years to come.
Doug Pederson’s team is just two years removed from winning a divisional title, and they won’t have an easy task getting back to the mountaintop with the current AFC South picture.
That’s why this season will be key in building and developing a winning culture and proving to their own players that they have a chance to win by staying there.
NEXT:
Trevor Lawrence Makes Big Personal Announcement
