It may be home finale for seven
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson dusted off his Super Bowl ring last week and wore it for the first time all year. He was feeling a little nostalgia, just not about his days with the 2015 champion Denver Broncos.
“I need to remember who I am,” said Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection last season.
It might be too late. Jackson is no longer a starter and his playing time is dwindling, signs his tenure in Jacksonville is likely nearing an end. The 28-year-old Jackson signed a six-year, $85.5 million contract in March 2016 that included $42 million guaranteed. He’s due to count $15 million against the salary cap in 2019, a figure the Jaguars seem unwilling to pay for a role player.
The Jaguars (4-9) essentially have moved on already, benching Jackson in favor of run-stopper Abry Jones and rookie Taven Bryan.
Jackson is one of seven former or current starters prepared to play what might be their final game in Jacksonville when the Jaguars host reeling Washington (6-7) on Sunday.
Here’s a deeper look:
Blake Bortles: The quarterback was benched last month, ending a run of 72 consecutive starts. Bortles signed a three-year, $54 million extension in February — after playing turnover-free football in the postseason — and is due to count $21 million against the cap in 2019. The team can cut him with a post-June 1 designation and save $9.5 million against the cap. A.J. Cann: Cann has been a durable starter at right guard during his four seasons. But his availability is more impressive than his ability, leaving Jacksonville in need of an upgrade.
Barry Church: The veteran safety signed a four-year, $26 million contract with Jacksonville in 2017, part of a stellar free-agent class that included defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Bouye. Church started the first 11 games before getting benched in favor of rookie Ronnie Harrison.
Malik Jackson: Jackson has one sack after notching a career-high eight in 2017, and coaches have pinned the defense’s run-stopping woes partly on him. Jackson said the team’s intentions to go in another direction are obvious.
Donte Moncrief: The former Indianapolis Colts receiver has 42 catches for 604 yards and three touchdowns, but has failed to show breakaway speed or win enough 50-50 balls.
Jeremey Parnell: The right tackle, 32, is expected to miss his first game of the season this week because of a knee injury. Parnell signed a five-year, $32 million contract in 2015 and has started 57 games. The Jags drafted his replacement, Will Richardson, in the fourth round in April.
T.J. Yeldon: A backup running back, Yeldon is the team’s leading rusher and receiver. The 2015 secondround pick has 408 yards and a touchdown on the ground to go along with a team-leading 54 receptions for 482 yards and four scores. Yeldon will be a free agent in 2019.