4 prominent Jacksonville Jaguars who probably won't return in 2025
Tyson Campbell may not return to the Jaguars in 2025
You have probably heard that NFL stands for Not For Long, as that's not hyperbole. A player can perform at a high level in any given season and find himself out of work a couple years later. Think of Xavien Howard. He earned the distinction of becoming the highest-paid cornerback in the league twice in his career but he's remained unsigned since becoming a free agent in March. It would be one thing if he were on the wrong side of his 30s but he's barely going to turn 31.
It may be harsh but that's the nature of the NFL. Tyson Campbell hasn't suffered a fall from grace as steep as Howard's but you will be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks he's still a top-10 corner. As recently as last offseason, he was dubbed one of the best 100 players in the league. Mind you, not just cornerbacks but players at any position, meaning that Campbell was mentioned in the same breath as running back Christian McCaffrey or quarterback Lamar Jackson.
However, injuries prevented Campbell from taking the next step last year. A second-round pick in 2021, the former Georgia Bulldog got off to a slow start to his NFL career but finished his rookie season strong, registering a team-best two interceptions. He was even better in 2022, tallying three interceptions, and 15 passes defensed while giving up less than 10.0 yards per reception.
Expected to keep improving in 2023, Campbell instead spent most of the season dealing with a hamstring injury. While he wasn't necessarily bad, he wasn't great either. He should be fully healthy in 2024 but he may have trouble claiming his place as one of the top cornerbacks in the league. One reason is that the Jags have a new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen.
Nielsen will run a press-heavy scheme and Cambell is better suited to play zone coverage. But even if he manages to make the adjustment and thrive, the Jags may choose to look for younger alternatives (aka the draft) rather than making a long-term commitment to him.
Never say never, but nobody should bat an eye if Campbell ends up hitting the open market and looking for a payday somewhere else.