Following the release of Darious Williams and Foley Fatukasi, the Jacksonville Jaguars allegedly released veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins on Tuesday in an effort to free up budget money.
Jenkins’ departure will reportedly free up the Jaguars’ cap space to the tune of slightly over $5 million. With a $12,284,000 cap hit, Jenkins was originally projected to be the sixth-highest paid player on the team.
Over the previous three seasons, Jenkins, who the Jaguars signed to a four-year, $35 million contract in 2021, started all 48 games in which he played, including two starts in the postseason.
In 2023, Jenkins played in 17 games as a starter and finished with 101 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections.
With a walk-off pick-six against the Dallas Cowboys and a game-winning forced fumble against the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 to send the Jaguars to the playoffs, Jenkins recorded three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2022.
It’s difficult because you also grow attached to these players. “You have to set aside your emotions because they contribute so much to the organization,” Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jaguars, told Frank Frangie of 1010XL during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Each of these guys puts in his all in the hopes of taking home a championship. And sometimes it’s just not possible to satisfy everyone financially.
Walker [Litte], Tyson [Campbell], Andre [Cisco], Trevor [Lawrence], and other young players are among those who will eventually require contracts. There is a group of guys who are moving up, and there is another group that is staying put. You are unable to provide for everyone’s happiness.
A hat exists, and it is genuine. You can push money and do things now, but eventually you have to make difficult choices, and I believe that’s where this offseason is headed. A number of difficult choices will need to be taken.
