Just one hour after learning of the bears’ budget shortfall, a veteran star agreed to take a pay cut — choosing team success over money

Just before the most intense phase of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars found themselves at the center of a sudden surge of attention after one of the class’s top defensive prospects, Christen Miller, openly expressed his desire to play in Jacksonville. In a pre-Draft culture built on caution, neutrality, and silence, Miller chose a different route. Asked which team he would want to join if given the choice, he answered without hesitation: “Jacksonville.” Two words were enough to ripple across the league. The reaction was immediate. NFL war rooms buzzed, evaluators reached for their phones, and social media erupted. For a defensive tackle — particularly one viewed as a high-upside interior disruptor — to publicly identify a preferred destination is rare. Miller had already built a strong reputation through film study and metrics, but this declaration pushed him into the spotlight. It broke the unspoken Draft etiquette and forced teams to discuss not only his tape, but his mindset. Within that context, Miller (Georgia) has emerged as one of the most intriguing interior defenders in the 2026 class. A redshirt junior who declared for the Draft on January 3, 2026, following Georgia’s CFP quarterfinal exit, Miller brings an ideal NFL frame at 6-foot-4 and roughly 310 pounds. He was a four-star recruit out of Cedar Grove High School and is consistently ranked among the top defensive tackles in the class — including No. 6 DT on ESPN’s board, with many analysts labeling him a strong Day 2 target. What truly elevates Miller is his production profile. He posted one of the highest interior run-defense grades in college football in 2025, per PFF, and has averaged roughly 19 quarterback pressures per season despite not always being deployed as a pure pass-rush specialist. ESPN analyst Jordan Reid has highlighted Miller as a scheme-clean fit for Jacksonville’s 4–3 front — a disruptive presence who can collapse gaps, hold the point of attack, and free edge rushers to finish plays. “He’s not flashy, but he’s relentless,” one AFC scout noted. “He wins where games are actually decided — inside.” For the Jaguars, the fit feels natural. Jacksonville is not searching for a reset, but for refinement — particularly along the interior defensive line after their early playoff exit. Miller represents controlled upside: young, powerful, technically sound, and aligned with the team’s competitive timeline. Whether he ultimately lands in Jacksonville or not, Christen Miller has already shifted perception. He is no longer just a prospect on a board, but a player unafraid to declare intent, embrace pressure, and align his future with a vision. In a Draft defined by silence, Miller chose clarity — and the NFL noticed.