Arden Key is headed back to SEC country.
The defensive end has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Wednesday. Key signed a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
Key's football journey gained momentum during his collegiate days at LSU, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore but was limited by injury in his final season with the Tigers. The foot ailment and a concern about his inconsistent effort lowered his draft stock, eventually leading to his third-round selection by the Raiders in 2018.
Since then, Key has played in 54 career games (10 starts), serving primarily as a rotational edge rusher who could be deployed situationally. He set a new single-season high with 6.5 sacks in 2021, his first and only campaign with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now he'll head to Jacksonville, where he'll join a defense that includes edge rusher Josh Allen and Key's former LSU teammate K'Lavon Chaisson. There's also a good chance that group will include Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, whom many expect to be selected first overall by Jacksonville in April.
Roster moves
- The Houston Texans signed tight end Antony Auclair and linebacker Neville Hewitt.
- Cornerback Patrick Peterson announced Wednesday he is re-signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The team later announced it had agreed to terms with the corner.
- The New Orleans Saints announced on Wednesday the official signing of wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith to a two-year contract.
- The New York Jets announced on Wednesday the signing of defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.
Retirement
- New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.
Visits
- The Arizona Cardinals hosted wide receiver Malik Turner on Wednesday, per the transaction wire.
- The Atlanta Falcons hosted linebacker Rashaan Evans on Wednesday, per the transaction wire.
