Arden Key: ‘I Felt Disrespected’ by Jaguars in Free Agency
When former Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Arden Key signed a three-year contract with the Tennessee Titans last week, the biggest question for most in the Jaguars' base was simple: why?
Key was one of the Jaguars' most productive defenders a year ago, serving as a vocal leader on and off the field and frequently being referred to as the sparkplug of the defense thanks to his natural energy.
Despite all of this, Key isn't returning to Jacksonville for a second season, instead signing a three-year, $21 million deal with $13 million in guarantees with the Titans. On Monday, Key gave his side of why he believes he is no longer a Jaguar.
"I mean, so with me and San Fran, they told me straight up 'we can't offer you anything. If we offer you something it would be disrespectful to you. So go test the market out and see,'. With Jacksonville, it was a shock to me," Key said.
"I ain't going to lie. After the year I thought I was gonna be a Jacksonville Jaguar. But I felt disrespected because I came, came over there, built up the culture, brought a whole lot of energy. Changed the city, changed the town and I felt like I was, in my rightful mind, I was gonna be the Jacksonville Jaguar. But that didn't happen."
No pass-rusher was more efficient for the Jaguars in 2022 than Key. While playing mostly as a rotational player and sub-package edge rusher, Key led the Jaguars' defensive line and edge rushers in pass-rush win-rate and was second on the team in pressures and quarterback hits despite not being an every-down player. When injuries hit, it was Key who stepped up.
"I still love the players, love the teammates, love the city, love the fans. But yeah, we got to see them twice," Key said.
Appearing in 20 games for the Jaguars, Key recorded 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss.
"Key made the most of a one-year flier with the Jaguars after a strong 2021 season with the San Francisco 49ers that got his career back on track, earning his second consecutive 70.0-plus pass-rush grade to go along with 90 combined quarterback pressures and 11 sacks over the stretch," Pro Football Focus wrote.
"Key’s 14.6% pressure percentage over the past two seasons ties for 17th among edge defenders, and he’s still an ascending player with the ability to rush the passer from all over the defensive line."
