Announcement: Jaguars Closing in on Deal to Sign $28.6 Million Four-Time Pro Bowler as Talks Heat Up

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been the subject of trade rumors for months on end, and they’re only heating up entering the regular season. A four-time Pro Bowler, Lattimore has lost a step since his peak but remains one of the better cornerbacks in the league. When combined with Paulson Adebo and second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, the Saints currently have one of the deepest cornerback groups in the league.

In a recent article, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report identifies the Jacksonville Jaguars as a potential target, noting that the franchise could receive a third-round pick for his services. As talks heat up between the two franchises, the Jaguars are making a bold move to bolster their secondary with one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks.

A Game-Changer for Jacksonville

Acquiring Marshon Lattimore would be a significant upgrade for the Jaguars’ defense. Lattimore, known for his lockdown coverage skills and ability to shadow the league’s best receivers, has established himself as one of the premier defensive backs since entering the league in 2017. His four Pro Bowl selections reflect his consistent ability to make an impact on the field, and his presence could help elevate Jacksonville’s defense to another level.

The Jaguars, who are looking to make a deeper playoff push, have identified their secondary as an area that requires improvement. Lattimore’s ability to create turnovers, defend against top-tier wide receivers, and play physical football would bring much-needed stability and leadership to the Jaguars’ young defense.

Why the Move Makes Sense for the Jaguars

At this point last year, most believed the Jacksonville Jaguars would run away with the wide-open AFC South. Trevor Lawrence looked the part of a franchise quarterback after leading a historic playoff comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the rest of the division looked to be in poor shape. Instead, the Jaguars crashed and burned down the stretch, finishing 9-8 while narrowly missing the playoffs. Since then, the rest of the division loaded up on talented playmakers, and Jacksonville could do the same with a Marshon Lattimore trade.

Jacksonville’s defensive unit has shown flashes of potential, but adding a shutdown corner of Lattimore’s caliber could give them an edge, particularly in a conference stacked with elite quarterbacks and wide receivers. Lattimore’s ability to play in man-to-man and zone coverage will allow the Jaguars to deploy a more aggressive defensive scheme, which could complement their developing pass rush.

Would The Saints Agree to This?

Chances are, the Saints will trade Marshon Lattimore before the start of the regular season. Despite all the rumors, New Orleans still wants to try and compete in 2024, and there’s no denying that the present-day Saints are better with Lattimore on the roster. However, the wheels could quickly fall off the wagon, and if that happens, the Saints will probably part ways with one of their top defenders.

After years of kicking the can down the road, this could be the season New Orleans finally embraces a rebuild. If that happens, look for New Orleans to trade Marshon Lattimore to the highest bidder, which could easily be the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The move would also signal to the rest of the league that the Jaguars are all-in on building a team capable of competing for a Super Bowl in the near future. With Trevor Lawrence continuing to develop and now a defense potentially anchored by Marshon Lattimore, the Jaguars could quickly rise as one of the most well-rounded teams in the conference.