The Jacksonville Jaguars let go of experienced wide receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday. This move came just five days after they drafted LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick and a day after arranging for five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry to attend rookie minicamp.
Jones was set to have a salary cap hit of nearly $10.8 million in 2024. That’s a lot for someone who was expected to be at best the team’s fourth receiver. Jacksonville will take on $6.6 million in dead money to save $4.2 million this season.
Jones, who has accumulated 3,028 career receiving yards and 18 touchdowns over seven years with Buffalo, Oakland/Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, missed eight games last season due to knee and hamstring injuries. He also faced a domestic violence charge that was later dropped.
He was entering the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract that included $14 million guaranteed.
The Jaguars might use the money saved to sign Landry, who is eager to return to the league after taking a break in 2023.
Landry has played nine seasons in the NFL, four each with Miami and Cleveland.
In 2022, he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with his hometown team, the New Orleans Saints, but had a career-low season with 25 receptions for 272 yards and one touchdown. He missed eight games and ended up on the injured reserve in December.
He claims he’s fully recovered now and ready to show he’s still got what it takes to play in the NFL. Jacksonville could be a good fit for him.
The Jaguars have been working hard to improve Trevor Lawrence’s receiving options, especially after Christian Kirk got injured towards the end of last season. General manager Trent Baalke brought in Buffalo’s Gabe Davis in free agency, drafted Thomas, and now has the chance to see Landry up close.
