Jacksonville Jaguars

The video posted by Florida attorney general James Uthmeier on Wednesday has been supplemented with formal correspondence.

Via Andrew Atterbury of Politico, Uthmeier sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell demanding that the Rooney Rule no longer be applied to NFL teams in Florida.

In the letter, copies of which were sent to the owners of the Dolphins, Jaguars, and Buccaneers, Uthmeier asks for confirmation by May 1 “that the NFL will no longer enforce the Rooney Rule or any variation or extension thereof — which requires consideration of race, sex, or any other prohibited classification — on teams in Florida.” Uthmeier adds that "[f]ailure to provide such confirmation may result in a civil rights enforcement action.”

From the letter: “The NFL’s own Executive Vice President of NFL Operations has acknowledged that the NFL should create ‘a workplace culture that doesn’t require mandates to interview people of color and minorities.’ If that is so, then stop discriminating based on race. Stop discriminating based on sex. Interview, hire, and train based on merit. If merit-based employment should exist anywhere (and it should exist everywhere), it is in the NFL. NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is. They care what colors their coach is wearing — and that those colors are winning on the football field.”

Of course, the full quote from Troy Vincent reflects his stated belief that a “double standard” exists regarding white and minority coaches. The Rooney Rule was created 23 years ago amid decades of hiring practices supporting the conclusion that the head-coach hiring practices had been heavily skewed toward white candidates. The league acted when it did in order to stave off a threat of litigation from Cyrus Mehri and the late Johnnie Cochran.

Uthmeier’s letter ignores the fact that litigation has been pending, for more than four years, regarding the firing of Brian Flores by the Dolphins.

Provisions like the Rooney Rule are aimed at rectifying decades of systemic discrimination. It’s about ensuring that candidates will get a full and fair opportunity to prove their merit, which often isn’t measured by objective metrics but by subjective factors that are characterized at times by terms like “comfort,” “fit,” and “feel.”

NFL franchises over the years have been owned almost exclusively by white men. Consciously or not, they have gravitated toward white coaches in a way that pales in comparison to the constitution of NFL rosters.

For the players, it’s much easier to display merit. The best players, as evidenced by their skills and abilities demonstrated during practices and games, earn and keep jobs. It’s much more difficult to determine merit when the supply of capable head coaches far outnumbers the 32 positions that are available, and when they all have the basic ability to perform the basic physical requirements of the job.

The league has said nothing to date about Uthmeier’s crusade against the Rooney Rule; the NFL has not responded to two separate emails from PFT seeking comment.

With the league’s owners soon to be arriving in Arizona for the annual meeting, where many of them will be speaking to reporters (and where Goodell will eventually conduct a press conference), it’s inevitable that someone will be saying something about the NFL’s position in response to Florida’s attack on the Rooney Rule.

Florida is taking aim at the Rooney Rule, calling it discriminatory. The Fritz Pollard Alliance, in a statement issued to PFT, has defended the provision.

“The Rooney Rule doesn’t limit opportunity; it expands it,” Fritz Pollard Alliance interim executive director Michele C. Meyer-Shipp said. “It doesn’t cap who a club can consider or dictate who gets hired and it’s not a hiring rule. What it does is increase fair competition and ensure a true merit-based process by opening the door beyond the traditional ‘tap on the shoulder’ system, so the best candidates from all backgrounds are actually seen, evaluated, and can compete.”

The Fritz Pollard Alliance, as explained on the group’s website, works “to ensure that hiring, advancement, and decision-making processes for career opportunities both on and off the field are open, fair, and inclusive, so that the leadership of the game reflects the excellence, talent, and diversity of the sport itself.”

The NFL has not responded to an inquiry from PFT regarding the Wednesday afternoon comments from Florida attorney general James Uthmeier, who has demanded that the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule or face possible enforcement action.

The Rooney Rule is named for late Steelers owner Dan Rooney; the Steelers had no comment on Wednesday evening regarding Uthmeier’s demand that the Rooney Rule be suspended.

Last month, former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith explained in a visit to PFT Live at the Super Bowl that accountability when it comes to the league’s hiring practices could come from the attorneys general of one or more states in which the NFL does business.

That has happened, but not in the way that Smith would have envisioned.

In a video posted Wednesday on Twitter, Florida attorney general James Uthmeier demanded that the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule.

“Next week, the NFL’s annual league meeting begins in Phoenix, Arizona,” Uthmeier said. “And the NFL draft is only a month away. Ahead of the annual meeting, my office is sending a letter to the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell regarding the league’s hiring practices. Specifically, the use of the so-called Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to interview candidates based on race.

“The NFL’s use of the Rooney Rule violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring. Florida law is clear. Hiring decisions cannot be based on race, and the Rooney Rule mandates race-based interviews and incentivizes race-based decisions. That’s discrimination. We’re demanding the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule, and failure to do so may result in enforcement actions against the league for race-based discrimination. NFL teams and their fans don’t care about the race of the coaching staff. They want a merit-based system that gives their team the best chance to win.”

Florida hosts three NFL teams: The Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Jaguars.

The move comes at a time when the NFL has been tiptoeing around the federal government’s assault against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Recently, the league expanded its Accelerator program to include non-minority candidates, arguing that it was not influenced by the current political climate.

The easy reaction to DEI efforts is to argue that all decisions should be based on merit. The NFL’s traditional hiring practices suggest otherwise; NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent’s admissions regarding the existence of a “double standard” were featured in the pending lawsuit filed by former Dolphins coach Brian Flores against the Dolphins, the league, and multiple teams.

It remains to be seen whether Uthmeier follows through with his threat, if the NFL doesn’t suspend the Rooney Rule. Coincidentally, or not, Florida took no action after Flores claimed that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered to pay Flores $100,000 for each game Flores lost in 2019.

Jake Bobo will not be headed to a different team in 2026.

Per Field Yates of ESPN, the Seahawks have decided to match the offer sheet Bobo signed with the Jaguars as a restricted free agent.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports the new contract is for two years and worth $5.5 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed. Additionally, Bobo will receive a $1.75 million signing bonus and can earn up to $7 million with incentives.

Bobo, 27, has been with Seattle since signing with the club as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He appeared in all 17 games in each of his first two seasons while playing 11 in 2025. He caught just two passes for 20 yards in the regular season, but also had two receptions for 33 yards with a touchdown in three postseason games, helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX.

Seattle had tendered Bobo at the original-round level, meaning he would have made $3.52 million on a one-year deal. But Jacksonville’s offer now means Bobo is set to be back with the Seahawks through 2027.

Wide receiver DJ Chark announced his retirement on Friday.

Chark has not played in the NFL since 2024, remaining a free agent all of the 2025 season after the Falcons released him during training camp.

“After much contemplation, I have decided to share a proper farewell as I navigate retirement,” Chark wrote on social media.
“My journey began at the age of 7 when I signed up for football, unaware of the profound impact it would have on my life. I simply loved the sport and had the unwavering support of my parents. Years later, I received the support of my wife, kids, family and thousands of fans!

“As I write this I reflect on the challenges I’ve faced and overcome, as well as the rewards I’ve reaped. I’ve learned to appreciate every experience and not take any of them for granted. As I enter this next chapter of my life, I remain committed to being an active pillar in my community, empowering the youth through charitable work.”

Chark played four seasons with the Jaguars after they made him a second-round pick in 2018. He also played with the Lions, Panthers and Chargers.

He finishes his career with 216 receptions for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Chark made his only Pro Bowl in 2019 in his only season with 1,000 yards.

Jake Bobo may be on the move.

The Seahawks’ restricted free agent is signing an offer sheet with the Jaguars, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

The details of the offer were not disclosed.

Seattle has five days to match the offer.

Bobo, who turns 28 in August, entered the league in 2023 as an underrated free agent with Seattle. He’s appeared in 45 games with three starts in his career, catching 34 passes for 323 yards with three touchdowns. However, he had just two catches for 20 yards in 2025.

Seattle tendered Bobo at the original-round level. That means he would make $3.52 million on a one-year deal with the Seahawks. But if the Seahawks decline to match the offer from the Jaguars, Seattle will not receive any draft pick compensation.

Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is the Jags’ passing game coordinator, giving Bobo familiarity with some of Jacksonville’s staff.

Wide receiver Dyami Brown is back in Washington, but he thinks he’s a different player than he was in his last stint with the team.

Brown signed a one-year deal to join the Jaguars in free agency last March after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Commanders and returned to his previous team on a one-year deal that was officially announced on Thursday. During a press conference that followed the announcement, Brown was asked how he feels he’s grown over the last 12 months.

“Really just mentally,” Brown said. “I understand the game a little bit more than what I have in the past. I took the steps to learn from other people like Jakobi Meyers, [Brian Thomas Jr.] out there. I had some people that helped me around — even the quarterback [Trevor], just learning from him — that took the game into another level and different viewpoint for me.”

Brown didn’t light up the box score — 20 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown — in his 14 games with the Jaguars, but he closed out the 2024 season with 14 catches for 229 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s three playoff games. That came with Jayden Daniels throwing the passes and the Commanders would love to see Brown pick up where he left off with the quarterback.

A day before Seahawks G.M. John Schneider addressed the potential impact of Washington’s looming “millionaire tax” on the defending Super Bowl champions, Simms and I stumbled into a conversation about state income taxes during PFT Live.

The spark came from the trade that has sent defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys (and Texas) to the 49ers (and California). In his last stop, there was no state income tax. At his new team, he’ll lose 13.3 percent, off the top.

It’s not as clean and simple as every penny of compensation being taxed, or not, by the state where the team plays. For road trips, the game check is taxed by the state in which the game happens. It gets more complicated as to per-game roster bonuses. As we hear it, some states try to tax the visiting player based also on a percentage of the full-year roster bonuses and/or the prorated portion of the signing bonus for the season in which the game is played.

And, yes, the lack of state income tax becomes a selling point in free agency, which explains Schneider’s concerns about Washington’s tax rate for millionaires increasing from 0.0 percent to 9.9. But, as Odighizuwa will learn the hard way, that doesn’t matter if the free-agent contract also doesn’t include a no-trade clause.

Regardless, the variations in state income tax create an imbalance as it relates to the most important aspect of anyone’s pay — how much they take home.

Simms mentioned on Thursday’s PFT Live that he heard something interesting from someone in the league who saw the tax discussion from the day before. (And, yes, plenty of people in the league watch PFT Live — probably because it features no phony debates, no false praise, no reckless hype, no minced words, and no performative antics.) There’s an argument to be made that the salary cap should take state income taxes into account.

It would be complicated, given that taxes depend on where games are played. Still, every team has eight or nine home games per year. That’s roughly half of the compensation, taxed based on where the team is located.

The real question is whether teams should get more to spend, given that more of what is paid will end up being taken off the top by the state government. Some teams may not want to do it, since having a higher cap means having a higher floor means spending more money that otherwise would be siphoned away as pure profit.

And the numbers would be significant. At a 2026 salary cap of $301.2 million, providing the Rams, Chargers, and 49ers with a 13.3-percent bump would push the cap to $341.2 million for those teams.

The deeper question is whether state income taxes make a competitive difference. As noted the other day, most of the teams in the no-tax states haven’t been to a Super Bowl this century. (The Seahawks and Buccaneers are the exception; the Titans, Cowboys, Dolphins, Jaguars, and Texans are not.)

Part of the problem is that most players don’t fret about state income taxes, even if they should. Players focus mainly on annual average, the true locker-room measuring stick that determines the pecking order among the most and least valuable players.

Although it would indeed be difficult to come up with the right way to determine cap credits, since the total tax burden depends on where games are played, that would be doable. The bigger challenge would be to get all teams in states with income tax to agree to a higher cap in order to account for it.

News flash: Not every team is as obsessed with winning as they pretend to be. For many owners, it’s about profit. Having more money to spend means having less to buy giant yachts or that much-needed tenth home. Especially since the owners of the teams in the high-tax states are also paying those increased rates, too.

Just kidding. The ultra-rich have seemingly cracked the code on eating nearly every ounce of what they kill. Which is another reason why the owners of the teams in the high-tax states won’t want to have more to spend — even if they have to say they do.

The Jaguars have lost a lot more than they’ve gained in free agency this week, but General Manager James Gladstone says that’s all part of the plan.

Gladstone says the Jaguars decided to prioritize compensatory picks, which are awarded to teams when they lose free agents and don’t sign other teams’ free agents.

“We’re at a stage now where a higher volume of draft capital is what we’re hunting, and those compensatory picks,” Gladstone said.

The Jaguars currently project to receive three 2027 compensatory picks: A fourth-round pick for the $15 million per year contract linebacker Devin Lloyd signed with the Panthers, a fifth-round pick for the $13 million per year contract running back Travis Etienne signed with the Saints, and a sixth-round pick for the $10 million per year contract cornerback Greg Newsome signed with the Giants. Gladstone says he’s happy for those players and happy to get the picks.

“High-priced free agents of ours ended up signing elsewhere, well-deserved contracts,” Gladstone said. “They did their part to put themselves in really sound positions to earn that. Excited for all those guys. In return, by not signing any outside free agents, we recoup 2027 draft capital.”

Gladstone noted that adding draft picks isn’t only about building through the draft. It’s also about trading picks for veteran players, as the Jaguars did twice last season to build up their receiving corps.

“I think on its surface you would think, oh, you’re going to make picks in 2027, whereas in reality, those draft picks and having more of them actually allows you the luxury of remaining in the hunt at different intervals throughout the entire calendar year for acquiring players,” Gladstone said. “You think about training camp a year ago and using a Day 3 pick to acquire a wide receiver in Tim Patrick. You think about ahead of the trade deadline and being able to use two picks on Day 3 to acquire a wide receiver in Jacoby Meyers. Without that draft capital at your disposal, you may not be as willing or able to relinquish some of those future picks. So by building that up now, it allows us the luxury of remaining with the flexibility to do those sorts of things as we move into the next stages of the offseason and into the regular season.”

It’s an approach that doesn’t generate much attention in free agency, but can pay off in the season.

The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the start of the 2026 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents and released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings, tags and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players released after initial publication may be added and all 100 players initially on the list will still be listed after any additions.

1. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 27.)

2. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. (Placed the transition tag on him on March 3.)

3. Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)

4. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)

5. Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)

6. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 24.)

7. Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. (Agreed to four-year deal with Colts on March 9.)

8. Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Rams on March 9.)

9. Jets running back Breece Hall. (Placed the franchise tag on him on March 3.)

10. Packers quarterback Malik Willis. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins on March 9.)

11. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. (Signed a one-year deal with the Vikings on March 12.)

12. Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)

13. Seahawks WR/KR/PR Rashid Shaheed. (Agreed to re-sign with Seahawks on a three-year deal on March 9.)

14. Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. (Agreed to one-year deal with Panthers on March 13.)

15. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker. (Agreed to sign with the Chiefs on March 9.)

16. Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 10.)

17. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)

18. Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)

19. Packers linebacker Quay Walker. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)

20. Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 10.)

21. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the 49ers on March 9.)

22. Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)

23. 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

24. Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs. (Agreed to four-year deal with Patriots on March 10.)

25. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)

26. Broncos edge rusher John Franklin-Myers. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Titans on March 9).

27. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

28. Eagles edge rusher Jaelen Phillips. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)

29. Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

30. Bills center Connor McGovern. (Re-signed on March 7.)

31. Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. (Agreed to a deal with the Patriots on March 9.)

32. Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)

33. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)

34. Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. (Agreed to one-year deal with Jets on March 10.)

35. Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa.

36. Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bills on March 11.)

37. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. (Agreed to three-year deal with Giants on March 9.)

38. Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Commanders on March 9.)

39. Steelers offensive guard Isaac Seumalo. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cardinals on March 9.)

40. Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader.

41. Browns linebacker Devin Bush. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)

42. Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on March 12.)

43. Rams safety Kamren Curl. (Agreed to three-year deal with Rams on March 6.)

44. Bills offensive guard David Edwards. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)

45. Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)

46. Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

47. Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor. (Agreed to three-year deal with Titans on March 9.)

48. Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns on March 9).

49. Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio.

50. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 15).

51. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Buccaneers on March 9.)

52. Panthers center Cade Mays. (Agreed to three-year deal with the Lions on March 9.)

53. Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. (Agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Chargers on March 7.)

54. Bears safety Kevin Byard. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots on March 11.)

55. Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)

56. Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)

57. Ravens edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones. (Agreed to three-year deal with Patriots on March 9.)

58. Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 17.)

59. Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad. (Agreed to a one-year deal with Bucs on March 12.)

60. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.

61. Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Titans on March 9.)

62. Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)

63. Cowboys edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

64. Saints linebacker Demario Davis. (Agreed to two-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)

65. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)

66. Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 12.)

67. Titans offensive guard Kevin Zeitler.

68. Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Broncos on March 9.)

69. Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cowboys on March 9.)

70. Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton. (Agreed to three-year deal with Buccaneers on March 9.)

71. Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan.

72. Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Seahawks on March 9.)

73. Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. (Agree to three-year deal with the Giants on March 9.)

74. Commanders center Tyler Biadasz. (Agreed to three-year deal with Chargers on March 6.)

75. Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on March 16.)

76. Browns tight end David Njoku.

77. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. (Agreed to return to Chiefs on March 9.)

78. Giants offensive guard Greg Van Roten.

79. Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota. (Re-signed with the Commanders on March 9.)

80. Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown. (Agreed to three-year deal with Jaguars on March 9.)

81. Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)

82. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David. (Announced his retirement on March 24.)

83. Bengals guard Dalton Risner. (Re-signed with Bengals on March 2.)

84. Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

85. Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.

86. Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

87. Jets safety Andre Cisco. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 13.)

88. Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Commanders on March 12.)

89. Packers edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)

90. Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

91. Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas.

92. Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. (Agreed to re-sign with Texans on March 9.)

93. Titans tight end Chig Okonwko. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)

94. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Texans on March 9.)

95. Raiders offensive guard Dylan Parham. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Jets on March 11.)

96. Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.

97. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 9.)

98. Broncos outside linebacker Justin Strnad. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 8.)

99. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco. (Re-signed with the Bengals on March 24.)

100. Colts cornerback Mike Hilton.

101. Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.

102. Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier. (Agreed to two-year deal with Cardinals on March 9.)