Big Cat Country
In the span of minutes, the Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly released two former Pro Bowl players, among others.
In a flury of moves heading into the opening of free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars will reportedly release Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, per ESPN's Michael DiDocco.
Engram had one season remaining on his 2023 contract extension, after being franchise-tagged. After a 2024 season riddled with a hamstring injury and season-ending labrum surgery, Engram looked to be a questionable scheme fit entering year one of Liam Coen's offense. With the team deciding early on to release Engram, he will have an opportunity to land with a new team early on into NFL Free Agency.
Engram played in all 17 games of 2023 while setting multiple franchise tight end records - receiving yards (963), catches (114), while making the Pro Bowl. It remains to be seen if Jacksonville will decide to bring in another free agent tight end or allow Brenton Strange an opportunity to man the role in 2025.
The release would result in $13.5 millions in dead money with a $5.98 million cap savings.
Update:
Minutes after the report of Evan Engram's release, NFL insider Tom Pelissero also reported that the team will also be moving on from two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner Devin Duvernay at the start of free agency.
The veteran receiver and kick returner was signed as a free agent in the 2024 offseason. However, his season was cut short after being placed on injured reserve in October due to a hamstring injury. He would later return to the lineup, with Parker Washington handling punt returns in his absence. Duvernay averaged 25.1 yards per kickoff return and 8.8 yards per punt return in 2024.
Additionally, Pelissero reported the team would be releasing cornerback Ronald Darby.
The Jaguars signed Darby to a two-year contract worth up to $10 million in 2024 to play in Ryan Nielsen's primarily match man defense. However, with a shift to a different defensive scheme, Darby would seem to be the odd man out. Darby will leave behind a dead cap hit of $2.75 million. However, the Jaguars will save $2.44 million in cap space with his 2025 release.
What are your thoughts on the Jaguars flurry of moves so far, Jaguars fans? Christian Kirk traded, Mitch Morse retires, Evan Engram, Ronald Darby, and Devin Duvernay released and there's still days remaining before free agency kicks off. Let us know in the comments.
