Why Signing Greg Hardy Wouldn’t Make Any Sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Greg Hardy needs the Jacksonville Jaguars; the Jaguars don’t need Hardy. 

As such, there isn’t any reason why the organization should entertain the idea of signing the defensive end as a free agent. Yet they still are. 

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, free-agent defensive end Greg Hardy spent the last two days visiting with and working out for the Jaguars,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported. 

Florio added, “the Jaguars wanted to learn more about Hardy so that they’ll know more about him if at some point down the road they need him.”

Unless the Jaguars suffer a glut of injuries, there is absolutely no reason for the organization to even consider signing Hardy. His off-the-field issues are well-documented, and he remained a malcontent during his most recent stop with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Organizations are always searching for pass-rushers, but the Jaguars have reached the point where the roster is filled with young and exciting talent. Bringing in Hardy could destroy the balance of what this team has been building toward since general manager David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley took over three years ago. 

The team’s owner, Shad Khan, even displayed a rare virtue in today’s NFL when he decided patience was necessary to see the team’s vision through its entirety. This would be put at risk by making a monumentally ill-advised move. 

The Hardy dalliance can be described as a potential low-risk, high-reward proposition. However, this argument doesn’t take into account multiple factors that could stunt the team’s overall growth. 

Currently, the Jaguars are one of the NFL’s most exciting young teams and a chic choice to make some noise during the upcoming season. 

Quarterback Blake Bortles displayed tremendous growth last season. His 35 touchdown passes tied the Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer, New York Giants’ Eli Manning and reigning league MVP Cam Newton for the second-most in the league. 

Bortles benefited from the talent around him. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns are the NFL’s most exciting young duo at wide receiver. 

On-the-field success often leads to expanded leadership roles within the locker room. However, none of the team’s young skill performers have reached their 25th birthday. 

Prior to free agency and the draft, the Jaguars owned the league’s second-youngest roster, according to SB Nation’s Rich Hill. 

Meanwhile, Hardy can be an overwhelming negative presence. This was never more evident than last year. Even after the Cowboys gave the troubled defender a second chance despite alarming details in regard to a 2014 assault case, his attitude and approach didn’t reflect an appreciative person. 

As the cliche correctly states, “Actions speaks louder than words.”

Hardy and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have done everything in their power to change the defensive end’s public perception, but what matters most is how …

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