![Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48) walks on the field during an NFL scrimmage event at EverBank Stadium, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k2k068wkza3n02h1k0.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48) walks on the field during an NFL scrimmage event at EverBank Stadium, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars cleaned house in the offseason, and the new regime hasn't been afraid to cut ties with underachieving players, regardless of their salary or draft status. Based on how things are playing out, there's a chance an underwhelming veteran may be phased out in favor of an ascending rookie in 2025.
The team just released their second unofficial depth chart ahead of the Week 2 preseason bout against the New Orleans Saints. While most players haven't experienced a surge or tumble down the depth chart, a handful of things stood out.
One of them was that 2022 draft pick Chad Muma and rookie Jack Kiser are listed as co-linebackers on the second team.
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Why Jack Kiser could make the Jaguars roster and Chad Muma won't
It's hard to get hyped up about a Day 3 pick, but Jack Kiser has a legitimate chance to make the Jaguars 53-man roster, whereas Chad Muma may be on the fringe ahead of cutdown day.
For starters, Kiser has arguably had the strongest training camp among rookies not named Travis Hunter in Jacksonville. Even though he lacks elite sideline-to-sideline speed, he's a trumper against the run and excels at bringing the heat. On the other hand, Muma has been underwhelming when called upon.
As a rookie, Muma flashed when fellow linebacker Devin Lloyd got benched. However, a knee injury cut his 2022 season short. He once again got a chance to start in 2023 and came crashing down.
By 2024, Ventrell Miller had gotten ahead of Muma on the depth chart. And if it weren't for the fact that former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen used a hockey-like rotation at linebacker, Muma might have gotten minimal playing time last year.
Nevertheless, Muma got a clean slate, like everybody else, under the new regime but has struggled to make the most out of his opportunities. Despite the fact that Devin Lloyd has left a bit to be desired, you won't hear about Muma potentially supplanting him. Granted, the former Wyoming Cowboy hasn't made headlines for the wrong reason, but ideally, you would like to hear that he's wreaking havoc in training camp or that he's making an impression. Neither has been the case.
Couple that with the fact that the Jags added blitz specialist Dennis Gardeck and rookie Jalen McLeod to the mix, and Muma could ultimately be the victim of the numbers game.
Can Chad Muma ultimately make the team? You bet, but he must turn the corner and take advantage of the opportunities he will get in the next two preseason games. If he doesn't, though, the Jags may choose to leave him out of the equation and roll with Jack Kiser.