A preseason knee injury to Seahawks edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu led Seattle to ring Jacksonville’s line and trade for Jaguars defensive end Trevis Gipson Monday morning.
While the Jaguars sacrificed an offseason free-agent signee and projected contributing pass rusher by making the deal, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson believed it was a positive move for all involved parties.
Per ESPN, Jacksonville received a 2025 sixth-round pick in return for Gipson, who can now compete for a larger role than he likely would have fielded with the Jaguars.
“Trevis has done an outstanding job for us,” Pederson stated Monday. “I think it’s a good situation for him, it’s a good situation for the team he’s going to, and obviously the compensation for us — it’s a win-win.
“It gives him an opportunity to play, and he put good tape out there of his play. Wish him nothing but the best. I spoke to him this morning, he’s happy and excited for the opportunity.”
Pederson indicated that the Seahawks called the Jaguars to express their interest in acquiring Gipson following Nwosu’s Saturday injury.
After signing a one-year contract with Jacksonville in March, Gipson compiled four tackles, two quarterback hits and one defended pass in three preseason games with the club.
In his four-season, 48-game pro career, Gipson has racked up 81 tackles including 11 for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and five defended passes.
“I don’t think anything or anybody is expendable,” said Pederson. “When you have good players and other teams have needs, you’re obviously going to listen.”
Pederson pointed to the development of two Jaguars edge rushers, 2023 undrafted free agent D.J. Coleman and 2024 seventh-round NFL draft pick Myles Cole, for providing a sense of comfort when Jacksonville accepted the trade.
Coleman recorded five tackles and three quarterback hits over 52 defensive snaps throughout the preseason. Cole posted seven tackles, half a sack and two quarterback hits over 62 snaps.
“Obviously, Myles has really improved. D.J. Coleman is another that’s improved a little bit through camp and the offseason program,” Pederson mentioned.
“It’s what you want. It’s your development. It’s what we talked about going back to day one, and how we developed the roster and a good situation.”
To pair with Jacksonville trading Gipson, the Jaguars waived defensive ends Breeland Speaks and Raymond Johnson III on Sunday, leaving Coleman, Cole and the recently-signed Joe Gaziano as reserves behind starting edge rushers Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
The Jaguars are seemingly taking a leap of faith in handing Coleman and Cole backup gigs at this point in their careers, though, as neither has appeared in a regular season NFL game.
Jacksonville has until 4 p.m. ET Tuesday to trim its active roster to 53 players. It has 80 at press time.
