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The Jacksonville Jaguars are adding depth to the secondary, and a special teams ace, with free agent safety Rudy Ford. Ford has reportedly agreed to terms with the Jaguars and is expected to sign a two-year contract worth $4.2 million, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Jaguars strike again: They’re signing safety Rudy Ford to a two-year, $4.2 million deal, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2021
Ford most recently spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. While Ford battled through injuries throughout his time with the Eagles, he made a difference on special teams, especially as a gunner on the punt team. Here is what Mike Kaye, a former Jaguars beat writer and current Eagles beat writer, had to say about Ford’s special teams prowess:
Ford was such a good -- but oft-injured -- gunner last season that you could tell the difference on punting strategy when he was out of the lineup.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 15, 2021
Cam Johnston went from averaging like 50 yards per punt to under 45. https://t.co/YGBljPmqWj
The 26-year-old safety recorded 15 tackles, including one tackle for loss, in eight games (one start) for the Eagles in 2020. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Ford was selected out of Auburn by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth-round selection (No. 208 overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons in the desert with the Cardinals.
According to Pro Football Reference, Ford has recorded 35 tackles and one tackle for loss in 41 career games, including two starts. He will provide competition at the safety positions and strengthen the special teams units in Jacksonville.