NFL Free Agency: Tyson Alualu returning to Jacksonville Jaguars

While not making many “big splash” moves, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been active in free agency, picking up a lot of depth, rotational and special teams players. The latest player coming to Jacksonville is a familiar name — defensive lineman Tyson Alualu. His agent, Kenny Zuckerman, announced the news.

According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Alualu is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $6 million. The 33-year-old veteran (he turns 34 in May) will add experience and leadership to the defensive line group for the Jaguars.

This is a homecoming for Alualu, who started his career in Jacksonville. The Jaguars chose him out of California in the first round with the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Alualu recorded 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits on his way to Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team honors.

Alualu spent his first seven seasons in Jacksonville, playing at both defensive end and defensive tackle. He would go on to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 offseason, and spent the past four seasons there. Most recently in 2020, Alualu still had a strong campaign despite playing at the age of 33, with 38 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five passes defended and a forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus, Alualu was extremely effective with an overall grade of 89.5.

According to Pro Football Reference, in 172 career games (with 109 starts), Alualu has 24.5 sacks (17.5 of which came with the Jaguars), 398 combined tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 67 quarterback hits, 14 passes defended, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.