Category: Brandon Linder

Poll: Should the Jaguars retain Brandon Linder?

The Jags are set to owe Linder $10 million in 2022, per Spotrac. When considering his injury history, could they look to shed that salary this offseason?

As the Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2022 offseason, they’re set to have among the most cap space in the league to spend once again. Per Spotrac, the Jaguars are slated to have the fourth-most cap space in the league with the projection sitting at just over $61 million.

While that gives the team a lot of options in free agency, it may look to shed more money. After all, this is shaping up to be a transitional offseason with a new head coach and possibly a new general manager at the helm. As a result, the Jags could reexamine some of their pricier contracts on the books, and that could lead to tough questions involving some of the team’s veterans, such as Brandon Linder.

The center has been a franchise centerpiece for nearly the last decade. A third-round pick out of Miami in 2014, he has started all 88 games he’s appeared in over the last eight seasons. He’s under contract through 2022 on a five-year, $51.7 million extension which made him the highest-paid center in the league when he signed it in 2017.

At one point, he was living up to that contract. But after an injury-plagued season in 2021 in which he missed eight games, it may be time to reconsider. The final year of his deal is set to be one of the most expensive with a projected cap hit of $10 million.

Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout his career, as he’s missed 41 games since entering the league. His play has also dropped off a bit. Once among the NFL’s best centers, he graded just 25th out of 38 centers for the 2021 season, per Pro Football Focus.

Moving on from Linder with one year left on his deal would leave the Jags with yet another important position to address this offseason, but they could almost certainly find a cheaper option who, at the very least, would be able to stay on the field. If that’s the route the team wishes to go down, its choices regarding Linder could be limited.

Given the eight-figure salary in 2022 and his injury history, Jacksonville would probably be hard-pressed to find a trade suitor for him. Realistically, if it wanted to save that cap space this offseason, it would likely need to cut him.

He’s one of several players that could become a cap casualty this offseason, but with that being said, the Jaguars aren’t exactly pinching pennies and could afford to keep him around if they wanted to.

Should the Jags keep Linder for the final year of his contract and reevaluate next offseason when he becomes a free agent? Or should they make a move now and release him to give the team more to spend? Let us know in the poll below.

[polldaddy poll=11030308]

Jags ‘plan’ to have veteran TE James O’Shaughnessy, center Brandon Linder back vs. Falcons

#Jaguars HC Urban Meyer provided an update on TE James O’Shaughnessy and center Brandon Linder and it appears the arrow is trending upward for their returns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars offense has struggled mightily since the bye week, and the recent injury to receiver Jamal Agnew is unlikely to help. However, the team is likely to get two other veterans back to help lessen the blow of losing Agnew as Urban Meyer said the team plans to bring  back veteran tight end James O’Shaughnessy and center Brandon Linder from injured reserve.

“Both of those players are ready to go,” Meyer said when asked about the veterans Friday. “That’s the plan [to have both back this week]”

Linder’s injuries occurred Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. On a goal-line play, he injured both his MCL and ankle, which resulted in him being carted off the field.

O’Shaughnessy, on the other hand, injured his ankle early in the Jags’ Week 2 game against the Denver Broncos. He only finished the game with three offensive snaps as a result but was designated to return from IR with Linder last week.

Linder is widely regarded as the Jags’ best offensive lineman and is a top-8 center in the eyes of most. That’s exactly why getting him back would be huge for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back James Robinson.

As for O’Shaughnessy, he was viewed as the Jags best receiving tight end before his ankle injury. Now, those shoes appear to have been filled by trade acquisition Dan Arnold. Still, backup tight end Chris Manhertz isn’t as good a receiver as the veteran and has struggled with penalties. That leaves the opportunity for O’Shaughnessy to return and be a solid No. 2 behind Arnold, which would make the overall offense better.

Jaguars place OL Brandon Linder on injured reserve, sign OL Rashaad Coward

To avoid going into Sunday’s game short-handed on the offensive line, the Jags signed veteran Rashaad Coward Tuesday.

As expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars placed center Brandon Linder on injured reserve Tuesday after the veteran was carted off from Sunday’s game against Tennessee with MCL and ankle injuries. With him set to miss four to five weeks, they also replaced his spot on the active roster by adding veteran Rashaad Coward.

Coward, 26, is currently in his sixth season as he joins the Jags and entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2017 out of Old Dominion. He spent training camp and the first four weeks of this regular season with the Pittsburgh Steelers but didn’t see any action as a regular season member of their roster.

However, during his tenure with the Bears (2017-20), Coward played in 30 games and started in 15. While in Chicago last season, he appeared in all 16 games and made three starts at guard and two at tackle. As for 2019, he registered a career-high in starts (10), all of which came at guard.

As previously mentioned, the Jags had the potential to go into Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins short-handed on the offensive line with Linder injured and Tyler Shatley now starting in his place. That’s likely why they elected not to give former Texans receiver Anthony Miller an active roster spot out of the gate.

Now, with Coward on the roster, the Jags have eight offensive linemen to head into Sunday’s game with.

Jags center Brandon Linder receives votes for top interior OL

Linder didn’t crack the top 10 from ESPN, but one AFC scout discussed why he’s still among the league’s best interior linemen.

Given Jacksonville’s recent struggles, it doesn’t have many top-tier starters on its roster. However, one of the few the team can boast is center Brandon Linder. He’s been one of the NFL’s highest-graded interior linemen since he signed a five-year, $51.7 million extension back in 2017.

That deal made him the richest center in NFL history at the time, and though it has since been surpassed by others, he continues to produce at a high level.

In the rankings of the top-10 interior player in the league from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, which were based on the opinions of anonymous players, coaches and executives, Linder doesn’t appear. But he did receive several top 10 votes, and one AFC scout discussed what they liked about Linder.

Very underrated player,” the scout said. “He has length and good athleticism, savvy. He just plays in Jacksonville, so he doesn’t get much credit.”

The “he just plays in Jacksonville” excuse may not be valid much longer, though. The team drafted a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and hopes to have a solid run game between James Robinson and Travis Etienne, as well. If the team finds offensive success in 2021 and beyond, Linder will be a major reason why.

The eighth-year player certainly doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but that could change if he’s the face of an offensive line that allows Lawrence to have a big-time rookie season.

Brandon Linder is an underappreciated player for the Jags

Linder is one of the highest-paid centers in the league, but his play has lived up to his contract.

When Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder signed his five-year, $51.7 million contract extension back in 2017, that deal made him the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL. Though his contract has since been eclipsed by a few others, he remains among the most productive interior linemen in the league.

Though Jags’ fans are certainly well aware of how good Linder is, the lack of offensive production in Jacksonville in recent years has masked his strong play at times. But the numbers don’t lie. And according to NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund, he’s the Jaguars’ most underappreciated player.

On 341 pass blocking snaps in 2020, Pro Football Focus had Linder allowing zero QB hits, only one sack and just three hurries for a total of four pressures. He also earned the highest pass-blocking grade among centers (87.6), which matches my computer-vision results showing that he prevented defenders from entering a 3-foot halo around his QB at the best rate amongst centers on passing downs. It seems Urban Meyer is giving us some major clues about his desire to run the ball (drafting running back Travis Etienne in the first round) and protect No. 1 overall selection Trevor Lawrence as he adjusts to the NFL game, which makes Linder’s role even more impactful.

His pass-blocking acumen will be key in the development of Lawrence, who will need time in the pocket to acclimate to the speed of professional football. The Jags will also rely on him to create holes up front for backs James Robinson and Etienne.

Linder also graded very highly in 2020 according to Pro Football Focus, earning an 80.0 grade. He continues to play at a very high level, and though his contract is set to expire after the 2022 season, Jacksonville will look to keep the 29-year-old around for a while if his play continues at this level.

Touchdown Wire ranks Brandon Linder as a top-10 center

Linder ranks 10th among centers in the league, per Touchdown Wire’s rankings

Though Jacksonville’s 2014 draft class had some great selections (in terms of talent) like Allen Robinson and Telvin Smith, no player in the group has had the long-term impact with the team that center Brandon Linder had. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ third-round pick, Linder has started 79 games at center in the seven seasons since.

In 2017, the team gave him a five-year, $51.7 million contract that, at the time, was the biggest center contract in league history. There have been some bigger deals since, but his contract still ranks sixth among players at his position. Because of that, Jacksonville expects a high level of play from Linder.

According to Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield, they’re getting it. On his rankings of the top 11 centers in the NFL, Linder cracks the list at No. 10.

We have a Jacksonville Jaguar!

Of course the bulk of attention is being paid to Trevor Lawrence right now — albeit with some reserved for Tim Tebow — but if the rookie passer is going to have a successful debut in the NFL, it will be due in large part to the men up front. Thankfully, Lawrence will have one of the league’s best centers in front of him in Brandon Linder. The center battled injuries last season, first with an ankle injury and later with a knee injury that cut his season short, but even through those struggles he performed at a high level.

An area where Linder shines is in pass protection. Over his career, he has allowed just nine sacks in over 3,300 pass protection snaps, and in 2020 he allowed just a single sack, along with three QB hurries and zero quarterback hits according to charting data from Pro Football Focus. This quick video illustrates some of his work from 2020 protecting the passer:

https://youtu.be/zQVkV33G5gQ

Linder was limited to just nine games in 2020, but his play this season will be key both in the development of Lawrence and in the establishment of the run game with James Robinson and Travis Etienne. He’s performed at a high level for a long time, and the 29-year-old should still have a lot left in him.

A.J. Cann discusses bond with Brandon Linder and Jawaan Taylor

A.J. Cann discussed his bond with both Brandon Linder and Jawaan Taylor on an episode of the “O-Zone Podcast.”

Guard A.J. Cann has seen a lot of iterations of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The third-longest tenured member of the Jaguars (behind fellow offensive linemen Brandon Linder and Tyler Shatley), the 2015 third-round pick has started 90 of the 91 games he’s appeared in throughout his career, and he’s had three head coaches and two general managers in that time.

So any quick change to the franchise’s culture would be easily recognized by Cann. He discussed the difference he’s felt during the first offseason under Urban Meyer on an episode of the “O-Zone Podcast” with Jaguars writer John Oehser.

“We know where he wants to go,” Cann said. “He wants to win and he wants to win now. As a team, we’re hungry. We hear a hungry head coach talking like that and working his butt off to give us everything he can to win and increase our value. That makes you want to go out there and give it all you have for a guy like that. He’s been everything and all of that since he has been here.”

Cann is a part of the position group expected to have the most continuity under the new regime. The offensive line is the most experienced unit on the team, and Cann plays between the most experienced member of the offensive line in Linder and the least experienced in Jawaan Taylor, a former second-round pick who the Jags believe has a lot of potential.

Cann discussed his relationship with both on Oehser’s podcast, saying that the group is often on the same page and communicates well due to the amount of time they’ve played together.

“Just knowing who you’re going to battle with, and knowing that person in and out,” Cann said. “I’ve been beside Brandon for a while. Sometimes when we see something, we’ll look at each other and it’s like, ‘You saw that? I saw it, too.’ I just know what he’s thinking about and I am able to think on the same page.

“It’s the same with Jawaan: He can make a point and I say, ‘I’m already watching it.’ That’s a cool thing. You can feel the presence of the group. We’ve got guys who have been there. We made some strides last year. We’re working to build on that.”

Cann remains one of the more consistent members of the Jacksonville offensive line, and it’s why he’s held down a starting job for so long. In 919 snaps in 2020, he allowed only two sacks, per Pro Football Focus. His play, along with the play of his cohorts, will be key in both the development of rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence and building off the strides made in the run game last season.

Brandon Linder approves of Urban Meyer’s approach to give Jags players the resources they need

The Jags’ team captains continue to praise the job Urban Meyer has done by putting the team in position to flourish.

Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder has been apart of three coaching changes with the team, dating back to the time he was drafted and took the field with Gus Bradley and his staff. Since, he’s seen Bradley and the coach who replaced him, Doug Marrone, both fired and now is playing for his third coach in Urban Meyer.

In Thursday’s media session, Linder shared his first public thought about his new coach in Meyer, and like many of his teammates, he likes what he’s seen so far. Despite the team’s limited time with Meyer, Linder told the media that he’s been great about giving the players the resources they need to succeed, something the past regimes struggled with.

“The difference [is] we’re changing the culture, that’s for sure,” Linder said. “He’s been giving us everything that we need to succeed, and we haven’t had that around here in a while. But he asks it from us when we get on the field and that’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve been putting in work and it’s been good. Everyone’s been trusting the process and buying in to the culture.”

Linder’s statements echoed those of some of the Jags’ other team leaders like Myles Jack and Josh Allen, but to hear him mention the lack of player relations in the past is telling. This is also a huge nugget because many feel Meyer could have a hard time with his locker room after the signing of Tebow.

Of course, Linder was also asked about the plans for the former Gators quarterback, but warned the media to pump the breaks on those discussions as there is a lot that needs to be established first.

“I think it’s one step at a time and see what happens,” said Linder. “Before you start having those conversations, you’ve got to feel where he’s at on the depth chart. So, obviously, it’s only been a couple days, so we have not had that conversation as an offensive staff yet.”

Only time will tell how the Tebow project works out for himself and the locker room, but for the time being, it seems as though the top veterans on the Jags’ roster are buying in on Meyer’s plan.

Brandon Linder lands at No. 6 spot of PFF’s center rankings for 2021

One of the luxuries Trevor Lawrence will have this season is having one of the best centers in football in front of him.

Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 1-15 record in 2020, there are several pieces from last year’s offense who will be a crucial part of getting things right in 2021. Center Brandon Linder is one of them, and as one of the best centers in the NFL, he’ll need to continue his success as Trevor Lawrence is now in town.

Heading into the 2021 season it appears Linder still has the respect he’s worked hard to garner over the last seven years as Pro Football Focus ranked him sixth on their evaluations of the league’s top-32 centers. While he only played in nine games last season, PFF analyst Ben Linsey not only acknowledged him as one of the best centers in the league since his selection but also as the Jags’ top offensive lineman. 

6. Brandon Linder, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville’s roster didn’t have a lot going for it in 2020. That tends to be the case for a 1-15 team. Linder, the Jaguars’ top offensive lineman, playing in just nine games was one thing that went wrong. It flew under the radar because he doesn’t have the same Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition as some other names atop this list, but he has been one of the best centers in the league over the past seven years. The only three centers with a higher PFF grade than Linder (87.4) since he entered the league in 2014 are Travis Frederick, Jason Kelce and Alex Mack.

Of course, as we mentioned above, the key for Linder in 2021 is staying healthy as he’ll have the No. 1 overall pick behind him. He’s missed 34 games since being drafted while starting in 79. Still, even with the injuries, there clearly aren’t many centers fans should want in front of Lawrence aside from Linder. Not to mention he was also the leader of a line that aided James Robinson to a phenomenal rookie season as a rusher.

Despite just playing in nine games, Linder registered a PFF figure of 80 last season. If he can do that in 2021 and play in the range of 13 games or more, it would be huge for Lawrence and the offense who will likely have to lead the team when considering the number of new faces on defense.

Jags center Brandon Linder expected to play vs. Steelers, per Doug Marrone

The Jags are on track to get their best offensive lineman back in Brandon Linder, who was dealing with a back issue Week 10.

The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be getting healthier over time and could have several key players back by Sunday’s game against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. One of the most notable names who there were concerns for heading into this week was center Brandon Linder, but according to Doug Marrone, the team captain is expected to return Week 11.

“We expect Brandon to play,” Marrone said Wednesday. “He’s actually going to go out there today and do some stuff. Normally it’s his day off so he’ll get some work in today.”

We’ll see if he’s a limited or full participant once the injury report comes out, but this is encouraging news for Linder after he missed Week 9’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a back injury. As the Jags’ best offensive lineman, his addition will be a huge one as the Steelers have an elite defense propelling there team. They will enter this week with the No. 10 ranked passing defense, No. 9 ranked rushing defense, and the No. 6 ranked defense overall.

Despite missing several games in 2020, Linder has a 76.4 grade, per Pro Football Focus. That will come in handy when protecting sixth-round rookie quarterback Jake Luton and making lanes for undrafted running back James Robinson.