USATSI
The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived wide receiver Denzel Mims and safety Trenton Thompson, freeing up roster space. According to Adam Schefter on X, free agent Mims quickly signed a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mims, a Texas native, played four seasons at Baylor from 2016 to 2019, where he was voted to the 2019 First Team All-Big 12. His undergraduate career ended with the third-most receiving touchdowns (28) and the fifth-most overall receptions (186) in Baylor history.
The 2020 Super Bowl, featuring two 11-2 teams, the Baylor Bears and the Georgia Bulldogs, marked the end of Mims’ collegiate career. He led the Baylor offense in receiving yards during that game, totaling five catches for 75 yards and scoring the team’s only receiving touchdown.
Mims NFL Journey: Jets to Jaguars
Mims, 26, was selected with the No. 59 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by The New York Jets. As a rookie, he appeared in nine games, starting eight, and caught 23 passes for 357 yards. In 2021, he appeared in 11 games, starting three, and caught eight passes for 133 yards.
Mims’ final season with the Jets was in 2022. He requested a trade in August but still participated in 10 games, starting four. He recorded 11 catches for 186 yards, finishing his Jets career with 42 catches for 676 yards. Additionally, he appeared in only three special teams snaps during his time with the Jets.
Mims was traded to the Detroit Lions before the 2023 season but was waived by the team in August. He then joined the Steelers’ practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the 2023 season.
Mims’ Move to the Jaguars
The Jaguars signed Mims after his tenure with the Steelers. The team’s receiving depth became a concern during the spring training program, with undrafted free agents Wayne Ruby and David White Jr. both sustaining season-ending injuries. However, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Brian Thomas Jr. remain the Jaguars’ top options.
Mims may face an uphill battle to make the roster, with other players competing for depth positions. He will practice alongside Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence, who recently signed a five-year, $275 million contract with $200 million guaranteed. The Steelers have not yet made any roster moves to replace Mims or Thompson, but we expect updates on this in the coming days.
Source: Adam Schefter
