After a few months of speculation, Brenton Strange inked a contract extension with the JacksonvilleCorey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Jaguars for three years, $48 million, with $25 million guaranteed. Less than a day after tight end Kyle Pitts signed his contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, the Jaguars did not wait any longer and paid their franchise tight end. Strange’s contract ranks as the fourth-highest average annual value among tight ends, and the 10th-highest guaranteed money. Jaguars ownership and management once again made it clear if they believe they have the right pieces, they will pay and pay early.
In 2023, the Jaguars controversially selected Brenton Strange in the second round, just one year after the Jaguars had signed Evan Engram, who performed well for the Jaguars in 2022. Strange did not have much production in his first season, but would begin to show flashes in 2024 and carve out a role for himself in the offense.
In 2025, he put up career numbers despite playing in just 12 games. The Jaguars went 11-1 with Strange, and 1-3 without him. The offense took a clear step back without him, sorely missing him in the passing game as a security blanket, as well as his blocking in the run and pass game.
Grading the Brenton Strange Contract
Grade: B
This contract appears to be a bargain deal for the Jaguars. The market will only continue to increase, and Strange has improved every season of his career. Another big season from him could have made it too expensive for the Jaguars, causing them to lose a very good tight end and get nothing in return. It is a low-risk, high-reward contract that could seem like a massive underpay in two years’ time.
The downside to this extension is due to the Jaguars current cap situation, and the selections they made in the 2026 draft. Strange’s cap hits have not been released yet, and the Jaguars are already sitting at $11 million over the cap in 2027. Parker Washington is expected to be next in line for a big payday, and this contract only tightens the Jaguars’ future cap sheet.
Antonio Johnson and Anton Harrison are also going to expect new contracts very soon. Similar to this offseason, the Jaguars will have some difficult decisions to make in who they feel is worth paying long-term and who is expendable.
Strange is extremely important to what the Jaguars do, but the Jaguars did select two tight ends in the 2026 draft that each have a skillset that can be utilized on the offense. Moves can be made, and money can be moved around, but this contract tightens the Jaguars cap sheet even more, and will put them in a tough situation trying to decide who is worth paying and who is not.
What’s next?
Strange has only played three seasons but he has improved each year. The offense was already lethal with him in the starting lineup, and he still has not reached his ceiling. With the Jaguars drafting two tight ends and shifting towards using heavier personnel, Strange can now be utilized in a variety of ways, making the offense even more dangerous.
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