Jaguars release WR Gabe Davis, moving on 14 months after signing him to
a $39M contract
[May 08, 2025]
By MARK LONG
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars
released veteran receiver Gabe Davis on Wednesday, moving on nearly 14
months after signing him to a three-year, $39 million contract in free
agency.
The Jaguars designated it as a post-June 1 cut, meaning
it will cost them $5.7 million against the salary cap in 2025 instead of
$20.3 million. Nonetheless, Jacksonville's new decision makers clearly
thought it would be better to to take on dead money than have Davis on
the roster as a fourth or fifth receiver. |
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) walks on the field
before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Sept. 23,
2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File0 |
|
Davis, 26, is still recovering from a torn
meniscus in his left knee sustained in mid-November and likely
would have started the season on the physically unable to
perform list. But he really became expendable once the Jaguars
traded up to select two-way star Travis Hunter with the second
pick in the NFL draft. They also signed speedy receiver Dyami
Brown to a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency.
Throw in Brian Thomas Jr., who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie,
and the Jaguars didn't see how Davis would fit — especially
since he didn't contribute much on special teams in five NFL
seasons.
Davis played in 10 games last year, with nine starts, and
finished with 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He
caught 163 passes for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns in four
years with Buffalo. He had six more TD receptions in the
playoffs.
The 6-foot-2 Davis grew up in nearby Orlando and was supposed to
be a bigger target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But his role
never materialized despite a deal that included $24 million
guaranteed, and first-time general manager James Gladstone and
first-time head coach Liam Coen are moving forward with Hunter
and Thomas as Lawrence's 1-2 punch for the foreseeable future.
Cutting Davis is the latest and most costly offensive adjustment
made by Jacksonville's new regime. The team replaced two
offensive linemen — retiring center Mitch Morse and guard
Brandon Scherff — traded veteran receiver Christian Kirk to
Houston and cut veteran tight end Evan Engram.
The Jags also drafted two linemen, two running backs and made a
splashy move to get Hunter to replace some of the losses.
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