The Jacksonville Jaguars are making some serious offseason moves, and it’s all about clearing salary cap space. In a week packed with big decisions, they’ve parted ways with five players—including two former Denver Broncos. These moves signal a major roster shake-up as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
One of the biggest headlines? Wide receiver Christian Kirk is heading to the Houston Texans in a trade that won’t be official until the NFL’s new league year begins on Wednesday. Jacksonville’s front office clearly has a strategy in place, and they’re making bold moves to free up cap space for future signings.
But Kirk’s departure wasn’t the only major move. The Jaguars also cut ties with four other players: tight end Evan Engram, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, cornerback Ronald Darby, and returner Devin Duvernay. Each of these players had different levels of impact on the team, but Jacksonville decided it was time to move in a different direction.
For those keeping track of player journeys, Darby (31) is a name Broncos fans will remember well. He played in Denver from 2021-2022, where he recorded 67 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one forced fumble in just 16 games. Injuries limited his time on the field, with 11 games in 2021 and only five in 2022 before Denver cut him loose in the 2023 offseason. After that, Darby found himself with the Baltimore Ravens before landing in Jacksonville. Now, with his release from the Jaguars, he’ll be looking for yet another fresh start.
Then there’s Josh Reynolds (30), another player with Denver ties. He signed with the Broncos in free agency last spring and had a promising start, catching 12 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown in five games. Unfortunately, a finger injury sent him to injured reserve, cutting his momentum short. But that wasn’t the most shocking twist in his season. After Week 7, Reynolds was shot following an incident outside a nightclub. Thankfully, his injuries were minor, and he made a recovery, but Denver decided to release him once he reached his deadline to return from IR.
After being cut by the Broncos, Reynolds landed in Jacksonville for the remainder of the 2024 season. His time with the Jags was limited, though—he managed just one catch for 11 yards in four appearances. Now, with Jacksonville moving on, Reynolds finds himself back in free agency, hoping to land with a team that can offer him a more stable role.
For the Jaguars, these roster moves could indicate bigger plans ahead. Clearing cap space is usually the first step toward making a splash in free agency or preparing for key contract extensions. While saying goodbye to familiar names is never easy, the Jags are clearly prioritizing financial flexibility as they shape their roster for the future.
With the NFL offseason heating up, it’ll be interesting to see what Jacksonville does next. Will they make a blockbuster signing? Are they setting up for a major draft move? One thing’s for sure: this is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting few months for Jaguars fans. Stay tuned!
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