The Jacksonville Jaguars made a substantial investment in the offensive line last year. They first signed center Robert Hainsey, offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, and right guard Patrick Mekari in free agency. The team's brass later added Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim in the draft. But wait, there's more!
Late in 2025, the Jags gave Cole Van Lanen a multi-year extension to keep him from leaving. But despite all the resources they've committed to the trenches, nobody would bat an eye if they made further additions in the upcoming NFL Draft. This wouldn't be great news for a veteran hog molly who could be a cap casualty.
What did the Jaguars get from Chuma Edoga in 2025?
The Jaguars signed Chuma Edoga to a two-year deal worth $7 million to bolster their depth across the offensive line. The move didn't precisely get rave reviews because the former USC Trojan hadn't done anything of note since the New York Jets picked him in the third round of the 2019 draft. After three seasons with the Gang Green, he played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 and later spent two years with the Dallas Cowboys.
Across those seven years, Edoga proved to be nothing more than a backup. But for a brief moment, his stock was soaring with the Jags last offseason. He made a strong impression and even shared first team reps with right tackle Anton Harrison.
Then, training camp came, and Edoga kept making the most of his chances. But it would all come to a screeching halt in the regular season. The Powder Springs, Georgia native struggled with penalties, and by the end of the year, he had become an afterthought.
Chuma ended up appearing in 14 games with two starts and logging just 10 percent of Jacksonville's total snaps on defense. He's now slated to earn $3.9 million next season, but releasing him could free up $2.9 million in space with $1 million in dead money.
After the Travon Walker extension, the Jags could use some cap relief. They have $5.9 million in space. That extra space could come in handy if general manager James Gladstone wants to bring in a veteran to address a roster void after the draft. Speaking of...
Why the Jaguars could release Chuma Edoga after the NFL Draft
Aside from the cap relief the Jaguars could get, cutting ties with Chuma Edoga makes sense if general manager James Gladstone adds a big (or two) in the draft. Sure, he could compete for a roster spot but might have already reached his ceiling at this point in his career. So why not bring in a younger offensive lineman with bigger upside?
Now, the offensive line isn't among Jacksonville's biggest needs in the draft, but they could use one of their three picks in the third round to bolster the depth across the line of scrimmage. In fact, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report sees Chase Bisontis as a potential fit.
Bisontis is projected to go in the second round, so the Jags would have to take him at No. 56, which may be unlikely when you take into account that they need to address the interior defensive line and the pass rush. But if the Texas A&M product somehow makes it to the third round, Jacksonville should target him. But whether it's him or somebody else, the Jags could definitely afford to use a pick on the offensive trenches.
This, in turn, wouldn't bode well for Chuma Edoga. Already, he's on the fringe, and his exit will be all but guaranteed if the Jaguars beef up the offensive line in the draft.