Jaguars Face Tough Cap Calls After Breakout Season - Here's Who Could Be on the Chopping Block
Winning changes everything - especially the math. After a stunning 13-4 turnaround season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are officially back in the AFC contender conversation. But with success comes the cost of sustaining it, and for GM James Gladstone, that means navigating a tricky offseason where financial discipline could trump loyalty.
Jacksonville enters the 2026 offseason roughly $13.9 million over the salary cap. That’s not a small gap, and it forces the front office into some difficult decisions.
Extensions are looming. Young stars are due for paydays.
And while the Jaguars want to keep their championship window wide open, they’ll need to shed some veteran contracts to make it all work.
Let’s break down three key players who could be cap casualties this offseason - not because they didn’t contribute, but because the numbers say it might be time.
A Historic Leap, a Heartbreaking Finish
Before we dive into the roster math, let’s not lose sight of what the Jaguars just accomplished. One year removed from a 4-13 campaign, Jacksonville ripped off a 13-win season under first-year head coach Liam Coen.
They clinched their third AFC South title and posted their best win total since 1999. That’s not just a bounce-back - that’s a franchise redefining itself.
Trevor Lawrence was at the center of it all. The former No. 1 pick threw for over 4,000 yards and led one of the most efficient passing attacks in the AFC. Travis Etienne Jr. added over 1,100 yards on the ground, giving the offense the kind of balance that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Special teams even got in on the action. Rookie kicker Cam Little drilled a 68-yard field goal - the longest in league history - in a season full of highlight-reel moments.
And while the Jaguars rode an eight-game win streak into the playoffs, their postseason run was cut short in gut-wrenching fashion. A 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round at EverBank Stadium ended the dream early.
But it didn’t erase the progress. If anything, it underscored how close this team is to breaking through.
Cap Crunch Reality: Big Decisions Ahead
Now comes the hard part. With Jacksonville sitting nearly $14 million over the cap, Gladstone has to find space without derailing the momentum.
The goal? Keep the core intact, extend the rising stars, and plug a few key holes - all while staying financially responsible.
Here are three veterans who could be on the bubble as the Jaguars try to strike that balance.
1. Arik Armstead - DT
Armstead was brought in to stabilize the interior defensive line, and in flashes, he did just that. He tallied 5.5 sacks and provided a veteran presence in the trenches.
But the second half of the season told a different story. At 33, Armstead’s snap count dipped, and durability became a concern.
The bigger issue? His contract.
A pre-June 1 release offers minimal relief - just $2.2 million in savings due to heavy dead money. But a post-June 1 designation would free up a massive $14.4 million in cap space.
That’s not just a number - that’s the kind of flexibility that could fund long-term deals for cornerstone players like Devin Lloyd or Travis Etienne Jr., or bring in key free agents to shore up weak spots.
In a vacuum, you’d love to keep a player like Armstead around. But in the real-world cap game, paying top dollar for declining production is a luxury the Jags might not be able to afford.
2. Foyesade Oluokun - LB
If there’s a heartbeat to Jacksonville’s defense, it’s Foye Oluokun. He’s been a tackling machine and a locker-room leader since arriving - the kind of player who sets a tone every Sunday.
But the calendar doesn’t lie. Oluokun turns 31 before the 2026 season, and history hasn’t been kind to off-ball linebackers at that age.
The Jaguars could save about $2.5 million with a pre-June 1 release. It’s not a blockbuster number, but when you’re in the red, every dollar counts.
More importantly, Jacksonville has younger options waiting in the wings. Ventrell Miller and Jack Kiser showed flashes in 2025, and if Devin Lloyd - coming off an All-Pro caliber season - gets the extension he deserves, it might make sense to pair him with a cheaper, younger running mate.
This wouldn’t be a performance-based cut. It would be a forward-looking move - the kind that stings in the short term but pays off down the road.
3. Patrick Mekari - OL
Mekari was brought in as a versatile insurance policy across the offensive line, and he filled that role when injuries hit. But in terms of impact, his play leaned more toward serviceable than standout.
With Trevor Lawrence playing at an MVP level, “adequate” protection isn’t going to cut it. The Jaguars need to be elite up front - especially on the interior, where pressure can wreck a passing game before it starts.
Releasing Mekari post-June 1 would free up about $3.5 million. That’s a solid chunk of change that could be used to upgrade at guard or center - positions that remain high on Jacksonville’s priority list.
Wyatt Milum emerged as a credible rotational option, and Ezra Cleveland is locked in at left guard. If the team believes it can find a more dominant starter in the draft or free agency, Mekari’s cap hit becomes a tough sell.
The Bottom Line: Cap Discipline Over Sentiment
Championship windows don’t close because teams lose talent. They close when teams mismanage timing and money.
The Jaguars are riding high off a 13-win season, but if they want that to be the norm - not the peak - they’ll have to make some cold, calculated choices. Releasing veterans like Armstead, Oluokun, and Mekari could create the financial breathing room needed to extend stars, reinforce key areas, and keep the momentum rolling.
These aren’t easy decisions. But they’re the kind that separate good teams from great ones. If Jacksonville wants to take the next step - from playoff threat to perennial contender - the 2026 offseason has to be about precision, not nostalgia.