The Jacksonville Jaguars hopes for the playoffs are no more, which means it’s poaching season. In the past, the Jags have been victims of other teams who’ve poached players from their practice squad (like Allen Lazard), but it appears they are beating teams to the punch this year.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Enter Sports Management has informed him that the Jags snagged one of their clients, Tyler Gauthier, from the New England Patriots’ practice squad to help out their offensive line.
Per @EnterSportsMgmt, #Patriots offensive lineman Tyler Gauthier, a center, is being signed by the #Jaguars off of NE’s practice squad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2019
Gauthier, 22, is a player the Jags are likely well aware of due to his time with the Miami Hurricanes. He signed with the Pats in May as an undrafted free agent but was eventually waived in the process of the team making final cuts.
Gauthier returned to the team’s practice squad on Oct. 15. An hour after walking back into the Patriots’ facility, he was informed that he was also drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. The terms of his deal with the Jags are unknown, but if the deal ends once the season is over, it appears he’ll be eligible to play with the Battlehawks. However, in all probability, he can sign a new deal with the Jags after the 2019 season (if one is offered to him), but more should surface on his XFL status later.
At 6-foot-5, 300-pounds Gauthier didn’t see the field for the regular season while with the Pats. However, he saw ample snaps in the preseason at guard and center and started in the Pats’ last preseason game against the New York Giants.