How does the NFL's 2023 salary cap impact the Jaguars and their impending free agents?

The NFL's salary cap has climbed to $224.8 million per club, according to reports earlier this week. That figure is up from $208.2 million in 2022.

For the Jaguars, and the rest of the league, that means the salary cap figures the teams will have for free agency, including their own free agents, the NFL Draft and future contract negotiations are known.

According to the salary-cap tracker site, Spotrac, the Jaguars are currently $32,277,191 in the negative, meaning they'll have to make some moves to clear up space prior to the new league year, which is set to begin on March 15.

The above figure includes the currently suspended Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley's cap number, which amounts to $11,116,000, his fifth-year option.

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Last year, Jacksonville spent $175.3 million in guaranteed money spread out over a number of years. The team needed to invest after much attrition to the roster through multiple rebuilds since the 2017 season. Now, they'll look to retain talent, while also continuing to build.

Still, as it pertains to this year's cap situation in Jacksonville, the team is not expected to be a major player on the market as they have been over the last several seasons.

During his season-ending press conference, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke spoke about the team's cap situation, understanding that while there is work to be done, it's not a daunting task, and the team will look into all options at navigating their current situation.

“Cash is more important than cap," said Baalke. "There’s ways to maneuver the cap, and there’s ways to extend things into the future, but you’ve also got to be smart and diligent when you’re doing that."

What Baalke means here is that the team's ability to be flexible, or pay out large portions of money upfront via signing bonuses means more than "cap space," which is simply a way to keep parity in the league as well as giving players a fair earning in conjunction with the league's revenue stream.

Though conversations will have to be had first, many players have been receptive to potential restructuring or returning to the team after Jacksonville made the playoffs, winning the AFC South following a 9-8 season.

Jaguars impending free agents breakdown

The Jaguars have a full assortment of free agents this year, totaling 18 players.

Of the 18 players, 12 are unrestricted free agents, meaning, barring a new contract or franchise tag, the player is free to sign with any other team upon the opening of the new league year.

Jacksonville has two restricted free agents, which can be tendered at various levels, and come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation.

A restricted free agent is a player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract, typically a player that was signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft.

The player can typically negotiate with other teams, and the team will have the ability to match the offer sheet or allow the player to walk with draft compensation or none, which would depend on the level they're tendered.

The team has four players that are exclusive-rights free agents, which is similar to an RFA. An ERFA is a player that has fewer than three accrued seasons and an expiring contract.

The team can offer the player a one-year deal at the league minimum and the player cannot negotiate with other teams. Essentially, if a team wants an ERFA back, they can retain them with ease.

Unrestricted free agents (UFA):

• Dan Arnold, tight end

• C.J. Beathard, quarterback

• Evan Engram, tight end

• Adam Gotsis, defensive lineman

• Tre Herndon, cornerback

• Marvin Jones, wide receiver

• Arden Key, outside linebacker/defensive end

• Chris Manhertz, tight end

• Corey Peters, defensive tackle

• Dawuane Smoot, defensive lineman

• Jawaan Taylor, right tackle

• Andrew Wingard, safety

Of the 12 unrestricted free agents, three players were full-time starters, including Engram, Jones and Taylor, while Gotsis, Herndon, Key, Manhertz, Peters, Smoot and Wingard were all major contributors.

Beathard was the team's backup QB, while Arnold primarily played special teams throughout the year, rarely rotating with Engram at tight end.

Restricted free agents (RFA):

• JaMycal Hasty, running back

• Tevaughn Campbell, cornerback

Both Hasty and Campbell were acquired during the 2022 season. Hasty was claimed off of waivers by the San Francisco 49ers after final cults, while Campbell was signed to the team's active roster on Oct. 27.

Hasty accounted for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries, while Campbell played just five games and 31 total defensive snaps.

Both players have three years of NFL experience.

Exclusive rights free agents (ERFA):

• Blake Hance, offensive tackle

• Riley Patterson, kicker

• Tim Jones, wide receiver

• Cole Van Lanen, offensive lineman

The Jaguars' biggest ERFA is Patterson, who became the team's primary kicker following final cuts. Patterson was waived by the Detroit Lions and went on to kick in every game for Jacksonville this season, including the postseason.

In the regular season, Matterson made 30-of-35 field goals, while connecting on 36-of-37 extra points. He nailed two of his three 50-plus-yard attempts.

Patterson also nailed a game-winning kick against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.

He connected on all three field-goal attempts and all four extra points.

The Jaguars traded a seventh-round pick for Van Lanen and could look to keep him around at a low cost to provide depth.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How the NFL's salary cap impacts the Jaguars' impending free agents