‘It’s never easy’: Jaguars make tough cuts for final 53-man roster

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars set their 53-man roster, with the biggest notable cut on Tuesday with backup quarterback CJ Beathard as the team got down to the NFL limit a couple hours before the deadline.

But the biggest news of the day had to be the bigs, as in the muscle on the offensive and defensive lines. Coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke both said after last season’s dubious finish that the Jaguars had to get bigger and stronger at the line of scrimmage. In shaping the 2024 Jaguars, that was as obvious as ever.

The Jaguars kept 21 of those heavies (11 on the defensive line and 10 on the offensive line) to help bolster what was a nagging problem last year. Jacksonville had little push from its defensive front, which is why it spent a second round pick on tackle Maason Smith, added his LSU teammate Jordan Jefferson on Day 3 and then signed Arik Armstead to a big deal in free agency.

“We feel good about that rotation,” Baalke said. “Got some guys on the inside that can flex outside. There is some flexibility with the way the roster was constructed.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the investment wasn’t as drastic, which is a concern. The team brought in Mitch Morse to help at center and drafted Javon Foster, who has a long way to go before he’s a capable offensive lineman. Versatile offensive lineman Tyler Shatley was a cut on Tuesday. He re-signed with the Jaguars last April and has played in 145 games with the franchise after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Shatley said during camp this would be his last season in the NFL before retirement. Baalke said it “remains to be seen” if Jacksonville can bring Shatley back following waiver claims.

“It’s never easy. This is a tough day for all 32 clubs,” Pederson said. “You’ve invested so much time in these guys, right, in the development process. Like Trent said, it’s not done. Obviously we get a chance to hopefully get some guys back on our practice roster and keep improving the roster.”

The team’s most notable move wasn’t a surprise. Beathard, who has backed up Trevor Lawrence since 2021, was injured in the second preseason game of the year and didn’t get back out on the field. And even if he did, it wouldn’t have mattered with how well Mac Jones played.

The Bolles product was acquired from the Patriots in a trade and thoroughly outplayed Beathard in training camp and in the preseason. That means starter Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, will be backed up by Jones, the 15th selection in that year’s draft. It’s very likely a one-year audition for Jones as he attempts to build back up after a turbulent finish to his career in New England. A return to his hometown has given Jones a spark and he’s thrived, looked loose and happy.

Jones was 38 of 52 passing for 421 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason. Baalke said Beathard’s groin injury was going to make him unavailable for likely the first four games of the season.

“I think you’re just trying to put the best 53 together,” Baalke said. “Sometimes you go heavy in certain areas; sometimes injuries play a part; sometimes availability plays a part. We just felt those were the best 53 for the time being. The roster is never done. We’re going to keep looking, going to keep competing and putting guys in a position where they have to compete to keep their spots.”

A couple notable moves during final cuts: receiver Tim Jones made the roster for the third straight season as Jacksonville kept six at that position. Jones’ calling card has been his ability to create on special teams. He has 14 catches for 113 yards in two years, but serves a vital role on special teams. Jones stayed while Elijah Cooks was cut on Tuesday. Cooks was a great story as an undrafted player who made the roster in 2023, but wasn’t a contributor on special teams, something that likely sealed his fate this season. Jones and linebacker Caleb Johnson both made the 53 largely due to their work on special teams.

Seventh round rookie edge Myles Cole made the team after a strong camp. Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo was a practice squad player for the Jaguars last year but made the 53 this season. Pederson said that Cole, despite being somewhat of a project where he was selected in the draft, came in and picked up the system and made the most of his chance. Cole (6-6, 278 pounds) is a massive physical specimen and can provide pressure in a rotational role. Otomewo’s time on the practice squad last year was key to him making the 53.

“What we saw every day going against our offensive line, he’s a big, powerful, lengthy guy with some athleticism,” Pederson said. “That showed up in camp. Just his skillset fits the scheme and he’s done a nice job.”

A day earlier, the team waived DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, DE Breeland Speaks and WR Seth Williams, and traded edge Trevis Gipson to the Seahawks for a 2025 late round draft pick.

It also released CB Tevaughn Campbell, WR Denzel Mims, TE Chris Myarick and OL Keaton Sutherland. The latter group of players were not subject to waivers. Players who are vested and have been in the league four years or more are not subject waivers and are immediately free agents.

Waived

TE Shawn Bowman

CB Christian Braswell

RB Gary Brightwell

WR Joshua Cephus

DE D.J. Coleman

WR Elijah Cooks

CB Erick Hallett II

RB Jalen Jackson

OL Steven Jones

QB E.J. Perry

S Josh Proctor

WR Austin Trammell

OL Darryl Williams

Waived/Injured

TE Patrick Murtagh

Released (Not Subject to Waivers)

S Adrian Amos

TE Josiah Deguara

S Terrell Edmunds

CB Tre Flowers

DE Joe Gaziano

OL Blake Hance

LB Tanner Muse

CB Amani Oruwariye

OL Tyler Shatley

Released via injury settlement

QB C.J. Beathard

Placed on Reserve/Injured (Designated to Return)

RB Keilan Robinson

S Andrew Wingard

Placed on Reserve/Suspended

S Tashaun Gipson Sr.

Quarterback

Running back

Receiver

Tight end

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebacker

Defensive backs

Specialists