Report: Ex-Browns LB Joe Schobert, Jaguars Agree to 5-Year, $54M Contract

The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a five-year, $53.75 million deal with free-agent linebacker Joe Schobert, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Schobert will receive $12 million upon signing the contract and $22.5 million guaranteed.

The 26-year-old finished with 133 combined tackles, two sacks and four interceptions with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Cincinnati Bengals "were trying aggressively" to get a deal done with Schobert but didn't match Jacksonville's offer.

The Browns paved the way for his exit by focusing on offense in free agency. According to Rapoport, Cleveland agreed to terms on a three-year, $42 million contract with offensive tackle Jack Conklin and a four-year, $23 million deal with tight end Austin Hooper.

Rapaport reported the Jaguars will trade defensive end Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens. Since Campbell is in the final year of his contract, Jacksonville shed his entire $15 million salary cap hit for 2020.

Campbell's departure and Schobert's arrival continues the Jaguars' gradual turnover of defensive personnel.

Myles Jack is one of the few holdovers from the unit that helped the team reach the AFC Championship Game, and Jacksonville may be signing Schobert with Jack in mind.

The 2016 second-round pick will presumably have to move to the outside with Schobert taking over as the starting inside linebacker. 

Jack has been operating from the interior over the last few seasons, something to which he seems a poor fit. Now, he can play in a more natural position that accentuates his strengths on the field.