Every former Florida Gator on a new NFL team this season
· Yahoo Sports
Several former Florida football players will begin the 2026 NFL season wearing new colors after an offseason that saw many ex-Gators change organizations.
Many found new homes through free agency, while others were dealt in spring trades. Established starters, veteran contributors, and fringe special teamers who once donned the Orange and Blue will be looking to make an impact with their new franchises.
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Headlining the group is newly acquired pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, who was traded from Minnesota to Philadelphia in April. Immediately following the transaction, Greenard inked a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Eagles, which nets him $50 million guaranteed. With multiple double-digit-sack seasons on his resume, the 2024 Pro Bowler should help bolster Vic Fangio's defense as GM Howie Roseman seeks to replace the production of Jaelan Phillips, who signed a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson will also represent a new team this fall after joining the Bills. The 28-year-old is coming off a 15-month stretch where he switched uniforms four times. He was released by Houston just three games into the 2025 season after reports suggested the Cocoa, Florida, native was a source of friction in the Texans locker room. Despite the tumultuous 2025 campaign, Gardner-Johnson hopes to find a home in Buffalo, stating that he feels "wanted."
Jawaan Taylor was released by Kansas City in March in a move that helped save the Chiefs $20 million in salary cap space. A season-ending elbow injury made an underwhelming 2025 season even worse for Taylor as the 2019 second-round pick struggled to reproduce the results of a 2022 season where he allowed only 16 pressures and five sacks across 17 games played. It was this performance that earned him an $80 million contract with the Chiefs the following year. While he was solid during the team's 2023 Super Bowl run, his time with the team was heavily scrutinized.
Other notable swaps include long-time Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone heading to Tampa Bay, Dante Fowler Jr. leaving Dallas for Seattle, and former first-round pick Kaiir Elam being traded from Tennessee to Kansas City. While the defensive back exits Missouri, a member of his 2022 draft class, Dameon Pierce, is competing with Philadelphia in 2026.
After starting seven games for the Titans, Van Jefferson will wear burgundy and gold in Washington, D.C., signing a one-year deal with the Commanders. 2021 four-round pick Marco Wilson exits Cincinnati after one season, trying his luck with the Dolphins following a Week 12 hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Every former Florida Gator on a new NFL team this season