Jaguars re-sign LB Dennis Gardeck: Instant grade, analysis

The Jacksonville Jaguars did not participate in the free agency frenzy that coincided with the start of “legal tampering,” or the league’s negotiation period.

Instead, they opted to retain multiple players who were set to become free agents. That list includes: cornerbacks Montaric Brown and Keith Taylor, defensive lineman Matt Dickerson, tight end Quintin Morris, running back DeeJay Dallas and linebacker Dennis Gardeck.

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Gardeck, one of the team’s free agent signees from a season ago, quickly became one of the more valuable players on the team’s roster last year. Jaguars coaches praised the veteran special teamer and hyena-like linebacker for his intensity and ability to impact the team’s front-seven with versatility.

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“Dennis is a very smart football player, and you can put him in multiple different spots, whether it be on the edge to rush in sub defenses or in obviously standup inside being able to work the games and work some of the straight rushes on whomever they deem is a good matchup for these guys,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said last season when asked about Gardeck’s impact.

Gardeck said Monday that he and the team had mutual interest in a return, and it was exciting to see it all come to fruition.

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“They’re guys that you enjoy being around. You like who you come out as a person being around [them] and definitely as a player. They get the best out of their guys for a reason and I’m excited to continue that and hopefully continue to progress,” Gardeck said of the team’s coaching staff.

But, how does the signing grade out for Jacksonville?

What grade do Jaguars get for re-signing LB Dennis Gardeck?

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) jukes against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck (47) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 17-10. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Gardeck reportedly signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with Jacksonville that included $3.65 million in guaranteed money.

Money aside, the deal appears favorable for Jacksonville, especially given how much they ask Gardeck to do on a game-by-game basis. Last season, Gardeck played at least 13 different alignments for the Jaguars’ defense, according to analytics website Pro Football Focus.

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That includes on the defensive line (one snap inside), about 348 snaps as an on-ball linebacker from either the left or right side. Gardeck also lined up inside as an off-ball linebacker and outside as a slot defender, primarily covering the flats and tight ends. He had about 97 snaps in that role.

Gardeck also played 186 kick coverage and return snaps in addition to 54 snaps in punt return and coverage.

Gardeck played in 17 games for Jacksonville, starting eight, and accounted for 48 total tackles (28 solos), 2.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2025.

Retaining a versatile player, especially one that didn’t cost much, is always a positive for the team. Jacksonville also got ahead of the curve by minutes, signing Gardeck before he could hit free agency on Monday.

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Grade: A

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky at Demetrius.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars free agency instant grade: Why Dennis Gardeck deal gets an A