logo
Jacksonville Jaguars drop Gabe Davis, bet on Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr

Jacksonville Jaguars drop Gabe Davis, bet on Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr

USA Today07-05-2025

Jacksonville Jaguars drop Gabe Davis, bet on Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released wide receiver Gabe Davis per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Signed to a three-year, $39 million deal in 2024, Davis struggled to mesh with Trevor Lawrence's offense, battling a season-ending torn meniscus and posting just 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
Davis with two years remaining on his contract, including a fully guaranteed $11M in 2025. What appears to be a June 1st designation, will split the dead cap for the Jaguars at $5.7M for 2025 and $14.6M for 2026 per Michael Ginnit at Spotrac.
Head coach Liam Coen is now banking on their youthful receiving corps, led by standout Brian Thomas Jr., who emerged as Lawrence's main target with 55 receptions in 2024. Christian Kirk, despite his own injury setbacks, remains a steady slot presence with 63 catches last season. Adding to the mix is 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter, the dynamic Heisman winner whose versatility as a receiver and defensive back should electrify the offense.
This trio offers Jacksonville a cost-effective, high-upside core, rendering Davis expendable. At 26, Davis' 16.7 yards per catch career average should attract suitors, but for the Jaguars, this move prioritizes a new era of explosive playmakers.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mass in the past: Josh Hines-Allen and his Jaguars teammates slim down in hopes of turning up
Mass in the past: Josh Hines-Allen and his Jaguars teammates slim down in hopes of turning up

Associated Press

time3 hours ago

  • Associated Press

Mass in the past: Josh Hines-Allen and his Jaguars teammates slim down in hopes of turning up

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Hines-Allen tipped the scales like never before in 2024. The seventh-year pro beefed up to 285 pounds at the behest of first-year (now former) Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, whose 'mass kicks ass' motto was a mainstay during the offseason and in training camp. It was catchy — and ultimately consequential. Hines-Allen and several defensive teammates swelled past the point of stout, and it showed on the field. The Jaguars ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense last season, allowing nearly 390 yards a game. They gave up 26 points a game, tied for second-most in the league, and finished with the fewest takeaways (nine). 'Holding a little bit more weight kind of puts a little bit more wear and tear on the body,' Hines-Allen said. 'It was a lot. Too much.' Hines-Allen won't blame his performance — he totaled eight sacks after notching a career-high 17 1/2 in 2023 — on the extra pounds. But he suspects they were related. 'My body was not cooperating as much as I would want it to,' Hines-Allen said. 'I take care of my body to the utmost, but it was a little bit different.' Hines-Allen insists it won't happen again. Although he declined to disclose his current weight, he looks and feels leaner. And he's hardly alone. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is down 15 pounds, from 255 to 240. Defensive end Travon Walker is a little lighter and has overhauled his body mass index. Veterans Arik Armstead, Foye Oluokun and DaVon Hamilton also are slimmer than last season — and the Jags expect it to pay dividends. 'Just the stamina aspect, bursts, getting out of breaks,' Lloyd said. 'It's a lot easier, a lot more natural. For me, the cardio aspect of it was the biggest deal. You're running all day, and after like four or five plays, you get tired. Now you can be a little more prolonged with your endurance.' Jacksonville owner Shad Khan cleaned house following last year's 4-13 finish. He fired coach Doug Pederson and later parted with general manager Trent Baalke. Nielsen, his defensive assistants and the entire strength and conditioning staff were let go once general manager James Gladstone, coach Liam Coen and executive vice president Tony Boselli took over. The first edict for the defense might as well have been 'mass is in the past.' 'I know that they'd put some weight on in order to play some of the schemes, structures that they were playing,' Coen said. 'That's just anybody's prerogative. That's the way they wanted to do it. 'Ultimately, just kind of evaluating it and talking to some of the players and trying to get them back down a little bit to maybe where they'd been when they'd had better years or been a little bit more productive. Definitely better for those guys to feel fresh.' Hines-Allen feels much fresher — and lighter on his feet. He reached 20 mph during workouts last week. 'I still got it,' he quipped. With weight off his mind for the first time in more than a year, Hines-Allen is now focused on staying healthier, being on the field more, becoming an All-Pro, earning Defensive Player of the Year and setting the franchise sack record. He has 53 sacks, two shy of tying Tony Brackens for the team mark set in 2003. 'I can't go into another season thinking about my weight,' Hines-Allen said. 'You know what I mean? That's why this year, coming back in that mindset and that weight class that I feel like I need to be, and it's dominant, it's fast, can move. 'I don't want to get off the field. … Get out, get a squirt of water, come back in and play four or five plays full speed and take over games. That's my mentality, that's the mindset and that's the goal at the end of the day.' ___ AP NFL:

Steelers bringing in FA wide receiver Gabe Davis for visit
Steelers bringing in FA wide receiver Gabe Davis for visit

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Steelers bringing in FA wide receiver Gabe Davis for visit

Just after the 2025 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the Steelers might finally be taking his replacement seriously. According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Steelers are bringing in free-agent wide receiver Gabe Davis for a visit on Thursday. Davis' career was on the rise after four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and he parlayed that into a huge free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it was clear from the beginning that Davis wasn't a great fit with the Jags and saw a big dip in production. Jacksonville decided to move on from Davis and instead selected former Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter to pair up with Brian Thomas Jr. Advertisement It makes sense that the Steelers would be interested in Davis. He not only provides elite size and speed but also comes as a bargain. Jacksonville is on the hook for $11.5 million of Davis' salary this season, so Pittsburgh wouldn't have to spend a fortune to get a player to compete with Robert Woods to be the Steelers No. 2 wide receiver. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, news and commentary, be sure to follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers flying in WR Gabe Davis on Thursday

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store