Breaking: Jaguars Closing In On Deal To Sign Five-Time Pro Bowler As Zay Jones Replacement

The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran wide receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday. This decision came just five days after they selected LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick and one day after arranging for Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowler, to attend rookie minicamp.

Jones was expected to face a salary cap penalty of about $10.8 million in 2024. That’s a lot for someone who was supposed to be at most the team’s fourth receiver. Jacksonville will incur $6.6 million in dead money to save $4.2 million this season.

Jones, who has 3,028 career receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in seven seasons with Buffalo, Oakland/Las Vegas, and Jacksonville, missed eight games last season with knee and hamstring issues. He also faced a domestic violence charge, which was eventually withdrawn.

He was entering the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract, with $14 million guaranteed.

The Jaguars might utilize the money saved to sign Landry, who is anxious to return to the NFL after a hiatus in 2023.

Landry has spent nine seasons in the NFL, including four with Miami and Cleveland.

In 2022, he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with his hometown New Orleans Saints, but had a career-low season with 25 receptions for 272 yards and one score. He missed eight games and went on injured reserve in December.

He thinks he is totally recovered and ready to prove he still has what it takes to play in the NFL. Jacksonville could be an ideal fit for him.

The Jaguars have worked hard to strengthen Trevor Lawrence’s receiving options, particularly after Christian Kirk was hurt near the conclusion of last season. General manager Trent Baalke signed Buffalo’s Gabe Davis in free agency, picked Thomas, and now gets the opportunity to watch Landry up close.