Jaguars unveil ‘stadium of future’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled conceptual designs for their “stadium of the future” on Wednesday, providing an initial glimpse into a billion-dollar-plus project that could determine the fate of the small-market franchise.

The renderings showed covered seating throughout a 62,000-seat, open-air stadium that includes a 360-degree concourse, which is four times wider than the current space. Capacity could be expanded to 71,500 for the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry, the Gator Bowl or a College Football Playoff game. The project also would include major improvements around the stadium, including a University of Florida satellite campus.

The Jaguars believe the proposal would create more opportunities to host major concerts, music festivals and the NFL draft. They stopped short of suggesting a second Super Bowl, clearly aware that the city’s lack of nearby hotels remain an obstacle.

“We have reached the end of this important and initial phase of this project — the design of the stadium we envision will be the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars and serve our entire community for generations to come,” owner Shad Khan said in a statement.

Jacksonville is the only NFL franchise that hasn’t built a new stadium or undergone substantial renovations since the team entered the league 1995. Most recently, Tennessee and Buffalo approved deals to build new stadiums.

The Jaguars’ current lease at TIAA Bank Field expires at the end of the 2029 season, making this project critical to keeping the team in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future. Although the Jags did not release financial details of the plan, a political website reported that the total investment could cost as much as $2.068 billion.

Stadium improvements would cost between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, according to a memorandum of understanding obtained by floridapolitics.com. A surrounding “sports district” would cost between $550 million and $668 million.

The overall tab would be a 50-50 split between the city and the Jaguars, according to the site, with the city footing much of the bill for the city-owned stadium and Khan picking up the tab for the surrounding areas.

The Jaguars have 14 community events planned over the next two weeks in which local residents and fans can learn more from team president Mark Lamping about the stadium designs and what the project would mean for residents.

Bills stocking up on former Rams

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A year ago upon signing with the Bills, Von Miller jokingly second-guessed his decision by questioning who would want to leave the bright lights of Los Angeles for a small-market, rust-belt city such as Buffalo.

Little did he realize, but Miller prompted a growing trend that has carried over to this offseason.

With the Bills announcing the signing of edge rusher Leonard Floyd to a one-year contract on Tuesday, their roster now features five players who helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

That’s not a coincidence, general manager Brandon Beane said, referring to an offseason in which his free-agent signing haul of championship-winning Rams players also includes cornerback Taylor Rapp, linebacker Travin Howard and guard David Edwards.

“It’s one of the things that you look for when adding people who have done it, and who know,” he said. “It’s not that we were just choosing that team, but they won it a couple of years ago. And that’s a quality that we wouldn’t be afraid to add.”

Acknowledging it’s an approach that’s easier said than done, because it still comes down to convincing players to come to Buffalo, Beane enjoys several advantages in his recruiting pitch.

Ridder emboldened by 2022 finish

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Desmond Ridder’s four-game audition as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback at the end of the 2022 season was crucial for the confidence of all players entering the 2023 season.

Jake Matthews, a 10th-year left tackle, says those four games provided an important transition to the leader of a young core on offense that now also includes rookie running back Bijan Robinson.

Matthews said after Wednesday’s organized team activities workout the four-game audition provided a “very” important reason to believe other starters on offense can have confidence in Ridder.

“He showed improvement in every game,” Matthews said. “He’s proven he can play. Now we just have to continue to learn and to improve and play and show it.”

Falcons coach Arthur Smith says he expects Ridder to open the season as the starter. Veteran Taylor Heinicke was signed to be Ridder’s backup, but has the experience to start if necessary.

A third-round draft pick from Cincinnati in 2022, Ridder opened his rookie season as Marcus Mariota’s backup. Mariota was benched with four games remaining and then opted for season-ending knee surgery, opening the way for Ridder to produce a 2-2 record in the finish to a 7-10 season.

Browns’ Watson feels less burdened

Deshaun Watson’s looking more like an elite quarterback than he did a year ago. Watson, who was suspended 11 games in 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, has been impressive during the Cleveland Browns’ mandatory minicamp this week.

Firing passes to a variety of receivers, Watson said he’s regained his confidence and is having fun again.

Watson was accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen women who said he acted inappropriately during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston. The Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract despite his legal issues.

Tagovailoa making improvements

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel wanted to see a “graduation” from Tua Tagovailoa entering his fourth year in the NFL and second in McDaniel’s system.

In Year One, the Dolphins starting quarterback had to learn and adapt weekly. In Year Two, McDaniel expects more command and consistency from him. So far this offseason, he’s seeing it.

Tagovailoa arrived at the Dolphins minicamp visibly bigger than he was last season, something he attributed to his commitment to working on more than what happens on the field.

BRIEFLY

FALCONS: Atlanta running back and return specialist Avery Williams is expected to miss the 2023 season after suffering a knee injury in a non-contact drill. Falcons coach Arthur Smith says Williams is expected to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Williams suffered the injury during the team’s offseason organized team activities practice on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

TITANS: Tennessee will be the first NFL team to bring three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in for a free agent visit. Hopkins turned 31 on Tuesday. He still would have led Tennessee last season with 64 catches for 717 yards despite being limited to only nine games. Both Titans coach Mike Vrabel and his new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly worked in Houston during Hopkins’ tenure with the Texans. 

BEARS: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson insists he is not worried about his future with Chicago and hopes to remain with the team beyond next season. Johnson says he “100%” would like a contract extension as he enters the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. Johnson has established himself as one of Chicago’s best players. His absence from voluntary offseason activities until this week stirred speculation that he was upset and holding out for a new deal. But he insists that wasn’t the case.