Needless to say, Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Liam Coen is thrilled to have Jourdan Lewis as part of the team's defensive unit.
Lewis was one of the first free agent additions that the Jaguars made once the league's legal tampering period was underway, and signed him to a three-year, $30 million deal.
So what is it about Lewis that has Coen so excited to have him? Well, one example was a play that Lewis made last season while with the Cowboys, when he was facing Coen and the Bucs' offense.
“Jourdan Lewis, man, he broke my heart last year," Coen said at the NFL league meetings via Big Cat Country. "We’re going down to win and take the lead against Dallas last year, we throw a post to [Buccaneers WR] Jalen McMillan.
"It looks like we’ve got it, we’re going to take the lead or at least tie at that point. J-Mac [WR Jalen McMillan] has it, Jourdan takes it out at the last minute, and it ends up being an interception for a touchback. You’re just like, man, that’s who he is. That’s the way he competes. It’s to and through the whistle."
Along with the experience that Lewis brings as an eight-year NFL veteran, GM James Gladstone recently mentioned the "toughness" that Lewis will add to the secondary as well.
Lewis was also one of the better slot defenders in the NFL in 2024. According to PFF's metrics, Lewis would rank eighth in yards per snap allowed, seventh in snaps per target, and eighth in snaps per reception.
"Those guys that do it like that at a high level and are able to communicate as well at a high level, those are the guys that we’re trying to bring in. He’s completely what we’re looking for and really excited to have him.”
The addition of Lewis adds needed stability to the Jaguars' secondary, a unit that was too often picked on by opposing passing games last season.
Presumably, Lewis will slide into the nickel position, which then allows the Jaguars to move Jarrian Jones to the boundary, which is where the biggest need at cornerback had been. A need still exists at the cornerback spot, but the Jaguars are better positioned after free agency.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars' Liam Coen thrilled to have Jourdan Lewis on defense
