The Jacksonville Jaguars checked off a box in their to-do list when they hired Liam Coen as their head coach. Next, they'll need to find a replacement for general manager Trent Baalke, who got the boot. Once the Jags take care of that, they'll need to turn their attention to the roster and the team's cap shape.
Jacksonville isn't currently hurting for space; it has around $35 million, per Over the Cap. That could be enough to re-sign some of its own players who are expected to hit the open market.
But if the Jaguars want to make a few additions in free agency, they'll need to create extra space. They can do it by releasing the next five players.
Christian Kirk, wide receiver
2025 cap hit: $24 M
Dead money if released: $13 M
Cap Savings: $10.4 M
The Jaguars were ready to move on from Christian Kirk last year. Just before the 2024 trade deadline, they were engaging in talks to send him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they didn't pull the trigger because he suffered a collarbone injury. Had he not gotten hurt, he would be gone.
There's no doubt that Kirk has been a staple of the offense since 2022 but he's also suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back years. Add the fact that Jacksonville has a capable in-house replacement in Parker Washington, and it's easy to picture the veteran wideout getting a call from The Turk sooner rather than later.
Ronald Darby, cornerback
2025 cap hit: $5.1 M
Dead money if released: $2.7 M
Cap savings: $2.3 M
The Jagùars released Darious Wiliams last offseason to free up space and signed veteran Ronald Darby to replace him. In theory, this made sense, as the latter was cheaper. In practice, it was a big miss.
Darby managed to stay healthy in 2024, a feat he had struggled to achieve in recent years. However, he seemingly lost a step and routinely got burnt in coverage. Eventually, he lost playing time to reserve Montaric Brown and was a healthy scratch the last four games in the offseason.
The former Florida State Seminole signed a two-year deal, but it doesn't make sense to keep him around with Brown in the fold. In fact, the Jaguars need to find a starting corner opposite Tyson Campbell, so Darby could be a victim of the numbers game.
Devin Duvernay, return specialist
2025 cap hit: $3.9 M
Dead money if released: $1.2 M
Cap savings: $2.7 M
The Jaguars let return specialist Jamal Agnew walk last year and brought in Devin Duvernay to replace him. They thought the two-time Pro Bowl nod was going to give their special teams a boost but was unremarkable.
Duvernay had a few long returns but not nearly as many as Jacksonville expected. Moreover, he was signed to contribute in the passing game, but was a non-factor, catching just 11 passes for 79 yards. When you take into account that Parker Washington did everything Duvernay was expected to do in 2025, it doesn't make much sense to keep the latter around.
Evan Engram, tight end
2025 cap hit: $19.4 M
Dead money if released: $13.5 M
Cap savings: $5.9 M
Like Christian Kirk, Evan Engram has been an important piece on offense and a veteran presence for Jacksonville in 2022. However, the Jags drafted Brenton Strange in 2023, and he came through during Engram's absence last season, registering 40 catches for 411 yards with two touchdowns.
The Jaguars could employ a two tight-end system next season. It could come in especially handy in the running game. On the other hand, the new regime doesn't have an attachment to Engram, and if they think he's not worth the $5.9 million he's slated to earn in 2025, he could get his walking papers.
Luke Fortner, center
2025 cap hit: $3.6 M
Dead money if released: $295,011
Cap savings: $3.3 M
The Jaguars thought they had found a long-term answer at center when they drafted Luke Fortner in 2022. The former Kentucky Wildcat flashed as a rookie but regressed so badly in 2023 that the Jags signed veteran center Mitch Morse to replace him last offseason.
Fortner is entering a contract year in 2025, and while it would make sense to keep him around as depth, the Jags could also look for upgrades at center in free agency or the draft.