A.J. Bouye swaps Houston Texans for Jacksonville Jaguars
Barry Church joins from Dallas, Calais Campbell expected to follow
Friday 10 March 2017 17:16, UK
Jacksonville Jaguars' free agency rebuild continues with cornerback A.J. Bouye signing a five-year deal after leaving the Houston Texans.
With free agency opening on Thursday, Bouye was expected to hit the open market and it was widely reported that Bouye had agreed a move to Florida.
And on Friday morning the Jaguars confirmed the signature of the 25-year-old who was an unrestricted free agent after posting a career-high 62 tackles in 2016 as well as interceptions in both of the Texans play-off games in January.
Bouye's move comes after a three-year stint in Houston where he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and his performances last year marked him out as the top cornerback in the free agent market - and it is Jacksonville who have won the race.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Bouye has signed a five-year $67.5million deal as the Jaguars look to turn around a 3-13 season under new head coach Doug Marrone, who was confirmed as permanent successor to Gus Bradley.
Tom Coughlin is also back in Florida, this time as executive vice-president and looks to be overseeing a defensive rebuild to supplement that of last off-season when general manager Dave Caldwell brought in Malik Jackson and drafted Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack.
Already on board this off season for the Jaguars are Branden Albert, who joins from Miami after a trade, and Lerentee McCray while Barry Church also follows Bouye in the free agent door.
The former Cowboys safety was an unrestricted free agent after seven years in Dallas and while the Jags did not disclose the length of his contract reports claim he has signed a four-year deal.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is expected to become the third high profile free agency addition, and would represent a coup for the Jaguars as he is widely regarded as one of the top free agents on the market this off-season.
