3 potential replacements for Jaguars C Brandon Linder if he retires

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent the last few days making additions to most positional groups and their offensive line has been no exception. Just before free agency, the Jags used the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson and they later signed offensive guard Brandon Scherff to a massive deal. On the other hand, they may need to replace long-time center Brandon Linder, who could either retire or get released.

A third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Linder has played for three different head coaches — Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, and Urban Meyer. He’s one of the few difference-makers on the Jaguars’ roster over the last few years but injuries have taken a toll on him and is one of the reasons why he could walk away from football, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press.

If Linder doesn’t retire the Jaguars’ brass could release him, which would create almost $10 million in cap space with no dead money. If that’s the course of action the team’s brass decide to take, they will need to replace the veteran center. Here are three players that could take his place in the starting lineup in 2022.

No. 1 player who can replace Jaguars C Brandon Linder – Tyler Shatley.

Maybe Bradon Linder’s replacement is already on the roster. Interior offensive lineman Tyler Shatley got a two-year deal to return to Jacksonville and he could get the first crack at center. After all, he isn’t strange to the position, having started 18 games over the last two seasons. In fact, he’s got as many starts as Linden in the same period of time.

After going undrafted in 2014, Shatley signed with the Jaguars and things have worked pretty well for him. He’s also proven to be pretty durable, having not missed a game since 2016.