The 2022-2023 NFL Playoffs were a perfect look at two of the best ways to win in this league. But perhaps the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't fit into any of the two.

On one hand, we had some of the top-paid quarterbacks in the league like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen elevating the talent around them. On the other, Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts highlighted how valuable rookie-deal quarterbacks can be in order to build a high-end roster around the most important position in the sport.

That has led many to believe that the Jaguars fall in the second group. And in part, it's true.

Just last year, that allowed Jacksonville to spend big on several free agents including Brandon Scherff, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Zay Jones, among others.

But in 2023, the spending is likely to slow down very significantly for the Jaguars.

The current CBA between the NFL and NFLPA measures cash spending (which is different from salary cap spending) within a three-year period. The current cycle runs from 2021 through 2023.

In that span, the Jaguars are currently the third-highest spending team in the NFL just behind the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. That's significant considering both of those teams both paid their respective quarterbacks.

"The Bills, Jaguars, and Browns all look like teams that spent a lot in 2021 and 2022 with the expectation to cut back in 2023," wrote salary cap expert Jason Fitzgerald in his article for Over the Cap.

That likely means the Jaguars will be betting on players like Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, and others to "take the next step." 

In-house development will be the name of the game over outside signings. That's a problem but the front office has clearly built something different as of late.

But while Fitzgerald anticipates a slow offseason for the Jaguars, he doesn't rule out another aggressive approach this year that would go against the usual:

"Jacksonville is a team that probably needs more holes filled and, like the Jets, could exceed their norms this year and put more brakes on in 2024," he adds.

With Trevor Lawrence under a rookie deal, the Jaguars can play the role of the aggressive front office. 

But they probably did the most they could last offseason. Fans should expect more calm this offseason as the team banks on several players' developments.

Featured image via Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports