Then on Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars cut wide receiver Gabe Davis. This trade brings to a close the underwhelming and brief stint of his with the team. Davis has a three-year, $39 million deal signed in March 2024. After a disappointing year so far in generating consistent disruption, forcing the Jaguars to reconsider their roster-building strategy, it became necessary for both parties to part ways.
During the 2024 season, Davis only caught 20 passes while averaging a paltry 23.9 yards per game with two touchdowns in ten games played. Injury really knocked him off his game. A torn meniscus in his left knee would sideline him for the rest of the season. His injury and subsequent disappointing performance were major reasons for his release. He did average only 12.7 yards per reception, the lowest figure of his five-year professional career.
When the Jaguars signed Davis last year, they guaranteed him $24 million. This contract featured a $1.5 million salary and a fully guaranteed $10 million option bonus for the 2025 season. Due to a combination of his underwhelming play and injury worry, the organization chose to release him as a post-June-1 release. This designation is a mechanism for the Jaguars to better balance their books. Rather than facing a juicy $20.3 million dead cap hit, they instead can swallow a rather snack-sized $5.7 million hit.
Davis certainly had four Hall-worthy seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In that span, he recorded 163 receptions, 2,730 yards, and 27 touchdowns with an insane 16.7 yards per reception. His move to Jacksonville was not as successful. In the pivotal game of their playoff run against the Chicago Bears, he dropped two would-be touchdown passes. Consequently, his cred with the squad was even lower in the 35-16 shellacking.
The Jaguars recently selected offensive player and defensive player Travis Hunter. They feature second-year star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and a Heisman Trophy winner on their roster, making the move to cut Davis an easy one. These improvements rendered Davis expendable as the team seeks to bulk up its receiving corps beyond the instant Davis was able to provide.
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