Reuniting a former coach and player seems unlikely: Analyzing whether the Jaguars can afford a high-priced free-agent tight end amid salary cap issues.
Could a former pairing in one Florida city be reunited in another Florida city?
Based on the predictions on the upcoming free-agent class by Greg Auman of FOX Sports, that could come to fruition between Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and free-agent tight end Cade Otton.
The two worked together in 2024, when Coen served as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That season is Otton's best season, statistically, in his four-year career. Otton caught 59 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns.
Otton did match his receptions total in 2025 and recorded 572 yards in 16 games, but found the end zone just once, his lowest touchdown output in a season in his career -- his previous low was two in his rookie season in 2022. That lone touchdown came in the last game of the season against the Carolina Panthers.
Otton, the No. 106 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is now set to become a free agent and Auman believes he could reunite with Coen and sign with the Jaguars this offseason. Auman notes that the Buccaneers don't have much else at the position behind Otton. We're already seeing mock drafts connecting the Buccaneers with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the 15th overall pick.
But does it make sense for the Jaguars to go after a potential big-money free-agent tight end when they already have a tight end unit that's still under development in Coen's and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski's offensive schemes? The team is already above the salary cap and general manager James Gladstone, in an end-of-season press conference on Jan. 14, noted that the team is bullish on keeping their current tight ends.
"We feel like (Strange is) someone that we can really rely on moving forward, some version of a security blanket in the passing game and can make things happen when the ball is in his hands," Gladstone told reporters. "But as a run blocker, he's certainly somebody that can dent the line of scrimmage and set the tone."
Responding to a question about the possibility of the team negotiating the contracts of Strange and receiver Parker Washington, Gladstone said, "I think both Brenton and Parker are people that we feel align strongly with how we want to move forward."
Otton's market value, per Spotrac, is $7.9 million per year. Jacksonville could give him a three-year deal worth about $24 million, if they want to go after him. Paying $8 million per year to a tight end when the team is already $9 million over the salary cap doesn’t make much sense to this team.
While tight end is also, quietly, a need for the Jaguars, and the team doesn't have a tight end signed after the 2026 season, Strange is eligible for an extension this offseason. It makes more sense for the Jaguars to extend Strange and give him a raise, rather than go after a tight end that had just one touchdown last season.
In addition, the Jaguars only have about $8 million in cash committed to the entire position group. Signing Otton would effectively double that total just with one player. This is also a team that already had to shed some salary cap, as they enter the offseason about $9 million over the cap.
So, while the thought of Otton reuniting with Coen sounds nice, it ultimately may not be mutually beneficial. The Jaguars do need a long-term option at the tight end position. Fortunately, the draft is loaded with such players. And as mentioned before, Strange is eligible for an extension this season. It makes sense to do that if you’re Gladstone. Keep Strange around, keep him productive and keep him happy. That may be the more likely route the Jaguars take to add to the position.
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