After spending the first eight years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback Jourdan Lewis is embarking on a new chapter. The former third-round pick has signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with $20 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid nickel cornerback in the NFL.
Micah Parsons Praises Jourdan Lewis on New Contract
Lewis’ former teammate, Micah Parsons, expressed his excitement for his longtime defensive partner on social media.
Dog! Earned for sure! Congrats family def gonna missed! https://t.co/fmBATKMsgb
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 10, 2025
Parsons expressed his joy for the Michigan alumnus while noting that Lewis will be missed in Dallas. The three-year deal will pay Lewis $10 million annually, and his standout performance in the 2024 season showed that the NFL veteran has plenty left in the tank.
Lewis’s 2024 Season and Fit in Jacksonville
In 2024, Lewis played 16 games, marking only the fourth time in his career he has reached that mark. He recorded a career-high 71 total tackles and defended eight passes, ranking third-best for him in a single season.
Prior to his agreement with Jacksonville, Lewis was ranked as the 36th best free agent by PFSN in their Top 121 NFL Free Agent rankings. PFSN analyst Brandon Austin commented on the significance of making Lewis the highest-paid slot cornerback:
“Making Lewis the highest-paid slot cornerback is an interesting move, but it’s hard to argue that the Jaguars desperately needed to add talent to their secondary. Depending on how they line the pieces up, the unit could take a step forward in 2025.”
PFSN staff members graded the move for Lewis as a B+. The stats and insights team elaborated on how he will impact the Jaguars’ defense.
“Opposing teams picked on the Jaguars’ secondary throughout the 2024 season. Jacksonville ranked bottom 10 in passing yards against, interceptions, passing touchdowns allowed, and passer rating against.
“Lewis isn’t elite, but he’s been one of the more consistent nickel cornerbacks in the league, and his addition does make the Jaguars better. He joins a unit that features upside with Jarrian Jones, Tyson Campbell, and Darnell Savage.”
Jacksonville’s Defensive Struggles in 2024
The Jaguars’ defense struggled significantly in 2024, ranking 28th in the NFL. Their performance placed them above only a few teams, highlighting the need for defensive improvements.
With defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s position potentially in jeopardy due to the unit’s poor performance, the addition of fresh talent like Lewis could help Jacksonville’s defense return to its former strength. Whether under a new coaching staff or not, Lewis’ presence is expected to bring immediate improvements to the team’s struggling defense.