The stout Jacksonville defense just got a little bit weaker.
The team is releasing defensive tackle Malik Jackson per reports. ESPN first reported the news.
The move saves the team $11 million in 2019. Jackson had three seasons left on the six-year, $85.5 million contract he signed with the Jags in March 2016. The size of the contract meant the Jaguars couldn't facilitate a trade.
Jackson's initial impact in Jacksonville didn't materialise last season. After combining for 14.5 sacks in 2016-17, the 29-year-old recorded just 3.5 sacks in 2018. He played only 30% of snaps in his final three games, and acknowledged a return to Duval in 2019 was unlikely.
"In my mind, if I'm third or fourth on the depth chart making $14.5 million to $15 million, I don't see too much future for me in Jacksonville," Jackson told reporters: "I'm not trying to be a journeyman by any means. But it's a business, and soon as you try to forget that then it's a rude awakening for sure."
The team is also releasing running back Carlos Hyde who it acquired in a trade with Cleveland last year. Hyde was due a $2 million roster bonus next week, per Over the Cap. It creates $4 million in cap space.
Hyde was relegated to third-string running back behind Leonard Fournette and T.J Yeldon. He rushed for 571 yards on 172 attempts - a career low 3.3 yards per attempt - and five touchdowns in 2018, per Pro Football Reference.
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