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The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms with former Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Former #Browns LB Joe Schobert is headed to the #Jaguars on a 5-year, $53.75M deal, source said. He gets an average of $10.75M per year. $12M to sign and $22.5M guaranteed. A new face on that Jax defense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
The deal is reportedly a five-year contract worth $53,750,000 with $22,000,000 guaranteed.
Although the team invested a third-round selection in linebacker Quincy Williams just a season ago, Williams did not show enough during his rookie season to give the team ease heading into this year’s offseason.
Schobert, 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, has spent the last four seasons in Cleveland as the team’s middle linebacker, starting 49 games while accumulating 408 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and six interceptions. In today’s NFL, while defending the run is very important — especially in the AFC South — defending the pass is even more of a concern. The Jaguars have shown weaknesses in both areas, and Schobert’s excellent coverage skills in man or zone would allow the team to be at ease.
In the past, Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell seldom entertained the idea of veteran linebacker Myles Jack moving from his current position at middle linebacker, however over the past few months, that tune has changed and the team is much more open. Schobert would allow the Jaguars to do just that.