4 Jaguars most likely to have their contracts restructured this offseason
The Jacksonville Jaguars will need to revamp their roster in the offseason if they want to keep up with the Houston Texans. To ensure they have a legitimate shot to challenge their division foes in 2024, the Jags should make a couple of splash signings in free agency.
The only thing impeding them from doing so is that the Jags currently have $11.5 million in space, per Over The Cap. And that's without accounting for outside linebacker Josh Allen's pending extension (or the franchise tag in the worst-case scenario).
On top of that, the team's brass needs to decide whether they'll bring back wide receiver Calvin Ridley. If they do, they'll have to give him a long-term deal. Fortunately, Jacksonville can free up a considerable amount of space if they rework a handful of deals. These make the following four players candidates to have their contracts tweaked.
4. Darious Williams, cornerback
Cornerback Darious William's contract situation will be worth keeping an eye on in the upcoming months. Having signed a three-year deal worth $30 million in 2022, he's scheduled to count $11.5 million against the cap in 2024. However, most of that money isn't guaranteed, so the front office could create $11 million in cap space with a reasonable cap hit of $500,00 if they move on from him.
The downside of releasing Williams is that he was one of the Jaguars' best defensive players last year. Besides registering four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and a team-best 19 passes defensed, he managed to stay healthy throughout the season and start all 17 games.
All things considered, paying $11.5 million for a starting cornerback is a reasonable price. Of course, there's the question of whether Williams will fit Ryan Nielsen's heavy press system, but the Jaguars could keep him for one more year and find out.
At worst, Jacksonville should let him stick around for training camp and if he struggles to adjust, they should then place him on the trade block. Conversely, the Jaguars should add one year to his contract and move some of his salary to 2025 if he thrives early on. Heck, an extension shouldn't be ruled out.
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