Wil Lutz changes mind to stay with Broncos rather than join Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ solution for the kicking game was short-lived. According to multiple reports, Wil Lutz decided to stay with the Denver Broncos after agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with the Jaguars earlier in the day Monday.

Denver acquired Lutz in a trade with the New Orleans Saints — reuniting him with Sean Payton — just prior to the 2023 season. He made 30 of his 34 field goals in his first year with the team and was reportedly considered a “top priority” for the Broncos this offseason.

But with the legal tampering period opening Monday and no deal in place with the Broncos, the Jaguars jumped in the mix with an offer that, for a brief period, had Lutz set to leave Denver.

That won’t be the case after all and the Jaguars are presumably back on the hunt for a new kicker in 2024.

Last season, the job was handled by Brandon McManus who was signed by the Jaguars shortly after he was released by the Broncos. After making 23 of his first 25 field goals in Jacksonville, McManus missed five out of six during a costly stretch late in the season.

In February, the Jaguars also reunited with their 2022 kicker, Riley Patterson, with a reserve/futures deal. Other free agent kickers include Greg Joseph, Joey Slye, and Randy Bullock.