The NFL just wrapped up its first week of free agency for the 2020 season and the Jacksonville Jaguars have been a little more low-key than in years past in terms of additions. Their one (and arguably their only) big acquisition has been that of linebacker Joe Schobert, who signed a five-year deal worth $53.75 million to joined the team.

With the organization going through a rebuild, there have been a few who’ve question the move, including Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY. In fact, he listed it amongst his most puzzling moves of the opening week of free agency for many reasons.

 Joe Schobert, LB, Jaguars

Similar to the Giants, the Jaguars made a baffling move to pay a sizable amount for an inside linebacker despite being in the rebuilding stage. Pulling off such a deal amid a cap crunch that prompted the casting off of cornerback A.J. Bouye and cornerstone defensive end Calais Campbell only amplified questions about Jacksonville’s approach. Schobert might have been able to firm up a unit that was stable at other positions, but there’s only so much his coverage skills will do for a defense in disrepair. Given the state of the secondary and several other spots, his signing was perhaps this year’s biggest example of a team indulging in a free agency extravagance.

The biggest reason the Jags probably wanted to acquire Schobert was to kill two needs at once. His addition will allow Myles Jack to move to a more natural spot: weak-side linebacker. If all goes well, the duo could be one of the better units in football.

Secondly, Schobert gives them a veteran player with nearly 50 starts to basically be the quarterback of the defense. From their standpoint, it was likely a better idea than putting that weight on a rookie’s shoulders or continuing to put it on Jack’s shoulders.

As for their salary cap, money will be freed up down the line somewhere. A bulk of it is being held up by Yannick Ngakoue’s $17.7 million franchise tag, but his chances to play on that figure on the Jags’ roster is unlikely. The Jags will either get through to him and get him to take a long-term extension with a lower cap hit or be traded, which would free up the $17.7 million.

Another way they could get some cap relief ($5.2 million to be exact) is releasing receiver Marqise Lee. Many expect that to happen (or he could be traded) but it’s just a matter of when.

If Ngakoue is traded and the Jags release Lee, they would add over $20 million in cap space. This simply means they aren’t in the cap situation most believe.

Lastly, Middlehurst-Schwartz was right about the holes in the roster around Schobert. However, it’s worth noting the Jags have 12 draft selections this year and nine next year. This means they can add a lot around him in the next two seasons. That said, it appears he’s just one key piece that marks the start of revamping the unit.