5 first-year Jacksonville Jaguars who could be gone in 2023

No. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars player who might not return: Arden Key, DE

Defensive end Arden Key is proof some players need more time than others to reach their potential. A third-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018, Key posted a measly three sacks in his first three seasons.

Then again, Key was pressed into action when the Raiders traded All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack. Looking back, this might have hindered his impact and after three underwhelming years, Las Vegas believed they had seen enough and pulled the plug on him.

The Raiders waived Key in 2021 but he was quickly picked by the San Francisco 49ers, which might have been the best thing that happened to him. Although he didn’t start a single game for the Niners, he went on to have a breakout season. The former LSU Tiger played just 35 percent of San Francisco’s total snaps on defense but he registered 6.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and five tackles for a loss, all career bests.

Key’s productive season in the Bay Area helped increased his market value in 2022. While the Kansas Chiefs showed interest in him, he ended up signing with Jacksonville because he thought it was a better challenge and wanted to help them turn things around. The Georgia native became an important piece of the Jaguars’ pass rush rotation and finished the year with 4.5 sacks, five tackles for a loss, and 15 quarterback hits.

Following the loss to the Chiefs, Key made it clear he wants to return but the Jaguars will be working with a tight budget, which could make it difficult for them to give him a new deal.