Jaguars Worked Out DE Greg Hardy, No Plans To Sign Him

Update:

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell told reporters on Monday that they brought in free agent DE Greg Hardy to find out more about him, per Michael DiRocco.

• Caldwell added that they have no plans to sign Hardy to a contract at this point in time.
• According to Caldwell, the decision to meet with Hardy isn’t an indication that they don’t like their young pass rushers. (John Oesher)

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Jason Cole of B/R reports that the Jaguars made players aware of their interest in free agent DE Greg Hardy before they brought him in for a recent workout.

According to Cole, some think the Jaguars’ locker room could handle signing a player like Hardy to a contract.

This confirms a report from Mike Garafolo, who mentioned last night that the Jaguars were polling their coaching staff and players during the spring about the idea of bringing Hardy in.

Hardy was a distraction during his one season with the Cowboys, which included run-ins with some coaches on the sideline among other issues. However, it appears as though the Jaguars believe their culture wouldn’t be negatively impacted if they were to sign someone like Hardy to bolster their pass rush.

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Jason Cole reports that the Jaguars have not offered Hardy a contract and it’s unknown whether they will.

• Two sources tells Cole that Jacksonville was just doing their homework with Hardy and no deal is imminent at this point in time.
• Mike Garafolo reports that the Jaguars were polling their coaching staff and players during the spring about the idea of bringing Hardy in.

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Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports that there’s “nothing cooking” regarding the Jaguars and free agent DE Greg Hardy, despite his recent visit and workout.

• O’Halloran mentions that the Jaguars could essentially be entering the season with two starting rookie defensive ends, so they could be on the lookout for help in the coming weeks.`12
• Mike Florio wonders if the Jaguars will still be willing to sign Hardy if they receive backlash from the media and the public for bringing him in for a workout.

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Rand Getlin of NFL Media reports that the Jaguars brought in free agent DE Greg Hardy and hosted him for a visit recently.

• Pro Football Talk confirms the report and adds that Hardy spent the past two days in Jacksonville.
• According to Albert Breer, the Jaguars have been considering and discussing the possibility of adding him since this spring.

This is the first reported interest in Hardy since the free agent market officially opened back in March.

Hardy’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sent NFL teams detailed information regarding his client’s counseling efforts to change his ways a few months ago. According to Rosenhaus, Hardy has been evaluated and treated by multiple NFL physicians and has taken part in group counseling, along with other methods.

The plan is for Hardy to continue to receive treatment and evaluation. Beyond that, Hardy is reportedly enrolled in classes at the University of Mississippi.

A few GMs previously told Ed Werder that they applaud Rosenhaus’ effort, but “nobody wants him.” However, it appears as though the Jaguars are at least willing to take a look at him and if he’s changed.

The Cowboys have made it clear that they plan to move in a new direction, even after they sustained some injuries to defensive lineman while others have been suspended.

Hardy, 27, is a former sixth-round pick of the Panthers back in 2010. He spent five years in Carolina before signing a one-year contract worth $11.3 million with the Cowboys that included weekly bonuses as a way to protect the team from him missing a number of games.

In 2015, Hardy appeared in 12 games and recorded 35 tackles, six sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a pass defense for the Cowboys. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 17 defensive end out of 48 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Best Available Free Agents list.