Jaguars roster: 3 takeaways from the Laviska Shenault trade to Panthers

After months of speculation, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially traded wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. to the Carolina Panthers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media first reported the move and the Jags later announced it on their official website.

This move shouldn’t come as a surprise though, as Jacksonville tried to shop Viska earlier this year and he was seen as a potential trade target ever since. With that in mind, here are three takeaways from the Shenault trade.

3. The Jaguars saw enough of Laviska Shenault before trading him

At first sight, the decision to trade Shenault could be a bit surprising but the truth is that the Jaguars didn’t just wake up today and decided to send him packing to the Panthers. Once a trade didn’t materialize in March, they gave him a chance to make in an impression in training camp. However, the former Colorado Buffalo couldn’t seize the opportunity and got lost in the shuffle.

A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Shenault was seen as a candidate to have a breakout year in 2021 after tallying 58 catches for 600 yards with five touchdowns the season before. Nevertheless, he didn’t live up to the hype and had an underwhelming sophomore campaign.

Once the Jags signed Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency, it was clear Shenault was going to need to fight for playing time. He was even given a look as a kick returner but he didn’t thrive in either role. In the preseason, the player nicknamed Shenaugthy by Nature hauled in three receptions for 26 yards and miffed one of the two punts he fielded.

That seemed to have been enough for the Jaguars’ brass to pull the plug on Shenault.