5 notable Jaguars who won’t probably be back next season

The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently at the top of the AFC South and have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs in 2022. Moreover, they have enough building blocks to be a contender beyond this season. On the other hand, salary cap rules won’t allow the Jags to keep every single player that has played an important role in their success this year.

Jacksonville is set to be $400,000 in the red next year, per Over The Cap. They’ll be able to free up cap space if they restructure a few contracts but they will also need to let a handful of players go. Similarly, they won’t have the sufficient cap room to re-sign some notable free agents. With that in mind, here are five Jaguars who might not return next season.

No. 5 Jaguars player who might not return next season: Shaquill Griffin, CB

Cornerback Shaquill Griffin was one of the Jaguars’ biggest free-agent signings last year. He quickly established himself as a leader of the defense and fared well in spite of the Urban Meyer debacle.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2019, Griffin appeared in 14 games and logged 49 total tackles last year. While he didn’t have an interception last season, he did register seven passes defended. The former UCF Knight allowed two touchdowns in the 2022 season opener but has played much better since then.

Griffin’s contract will expire after the conclusion of the 2023 season but the Jags could free up $13.5 million cap space with a dead cap hit of $4 million if they release him next offseason.

If released, Griffin’s leadership and play would be missed but the front office might not want to pass up the chance to get more than $10 million in cap relief.