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The Jacksonville Jaguars will sign free agent offensive tackle Jermey Parnell once free agency officially starts, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Jaguars were reportedly linked to free agency Bryan Bulaga, but it appears that that was either agent talk or something to throw people off the scent of their real target, Parnell.
Was told by a league source that #Jaguars never had interest in OT Bryan Bulaga. After Jermey Parnell all along.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) March 9, 2015
Parnell earned a big pay day with his play for the Dallas Cowboys last season, filling in for an injured Doug Free and he was viewed as a sleeper free agent with a ton of upside.
When OT Jermey Parnell’s deal with the #Jaguars is official, it’s going to be 5 years, $32M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2015
Parnell, 28, was a basketball player at Ole Miss before a short stint playing at defensive end for the football team. Parnell was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and spent time on the practice squad playing defensive end, tight end, and defensive tackle before finally settling on offensive tackle. He bounced around a few teams before sticking with the Cowboys and now has worked himself to being the Jaguars highest paid offensive lineman.
According to ESPN, Parnell's deal will be five-years for $32 million with $13 million guaranteed.