4 easy moves that would save Jaguars over $24 million in cap space

No. 3 player the Jaguars can release in 2022 – Brandon Linder, C.

This one may be the most controversial decision on the list and there are arguments to be made for and against releasing (or trading) center Brandon Linder. The downside of trading the veteran and five-time captain is that you can’t simply move on from players who are set to have a big cap hit. The Jags have tried that approach in the past, and it didn’t work out well for them.

Similarly, replacing Linder’s leadership wouldn’t be easy. You can’t simply appoint a leader by pulling names from a hat and call it a day. Jacksonville is in need of as many veteran voices as possible in Year 1 of Doug Pederson’s tenure in Jacksonville and Linder would be invaluable. Another reason not to cut ties with Linder is that he’s a pretty good football player. Although he doesn’t have any Pro Bowls or All-Pro selection to his name, he’s one of the best centers in the league and a key cog in the Jaguars’ offensive line.

Having said that, Linder has sat 22 games over the last four seasons and backup interior lineman Tyler Shatley has been serviceable when he has had to step in at center. Linder is the better of the two, by a wide margin, but the Jaguars may not be inclined to pay him a $10 million salary in 2022, especially when they would free up that amount of cap room with no dead cap hit if they release him.

Shatley is slated to become a free agent but the front office could re-sign him on the cheap. He could take over at center for the fraction of what Linder is set to make in 2022.