The Jaguars are signing free agent and former Jacksonville safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Gipson played for the Jaguars from 2016-18 and started at safety for Jacksonville during its 2017-18 run to the AFC Championship, where the club lost to New England, 24-20.
Gipson faces a six-game suspension to begin the 2024 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy but is eligible to practice and play in the preseason.
Under former general manager Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley, Gipson joined the Jaguars on a five-year, $36 million free-agent contract in March 2016.
Gipson recorded 159 tackles including five for loss, six interceptions, 16 defended passes and one fumble recovery in three seasons and 48 games with the Jaguars, all starts.
He picked off four passes during the 2017 regular season, second-most on the team, serving as a critical piece on the backend of the “Sacksonville” defense that facilitated the Jaguars’ playoff appearance.
But following Jacksonville’s disappointing, 5-11 finish in 2018, the Jaguars released Gipson and several other high-priced veteran players during the 2019 offseason, two seasons before the end of his deal.
Jacksonville pursued and signed free-agent quarterback Nick Foles with the salary cap space it freed up by releasing Gipson and other players, like defensive tackle Malik Jackson and right tackle Jermey Parnell.
Undrafted out of Wyoming in 2012, Gipson signed with Cleveland and spent four seasons with the Browns to begin his career, before joining Jacksonville. He has since played with Houston (2019), Chicago (2020-21) and San Francisco (2022-23).
In 12 seasons, 173 games and 165 starts, Gipson has compiled 684 tackles with 18 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 33 interceptions including three pick-sixes, 68 defended passes, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
A corresponding roster move was not reported when news of Gipson’s imminent signing with Jacksonville broke.