3 Jaguars Players Who Must Leave in Free Agency

Jacksonville faces tough roster decisions to sustain success after breakout 2025 season

Feb. 24, 2026 at 11:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a resurgent 13-4 season in 2025 that saw them reach the playoffs. However, with a projected $13.5 million salary cap deficit, the team must make difficult decisions on several key free agents, including safety Andrew Wingard, cornerback Greg Newsome II, and running back Travis Etienne Jr. Retaining defensive cornerstones like linebacker Devin Lloyd and cornerback Montaric Brown will be the priority, forcing the Jaguars to let go of productive veterans who don't fit their long-term financial and roster plans.

Why it matters

The Jaguars are no longer rebuilding, but trying to sustain their newfound success. Letting go of popular players like Wingard, Newsome, and Etienne will be unpopular, but necessary to maintain financial flexibility and roster continuity as the team eyes long-term contention.

The details

The Jaguars' defense led the NFL in rushing defense in 2025, but the unit is set to lose nearly 40% of its snaps to free agency. Retaining linebacker Devin Lloyd and cornerback Montaric Brown are top priorities, leaving little room to keep veteran safety Andrew Wingard, who has been a special teams standout and fan favorite. The team is also transitioning its secondary, with young safeties Antonio Johnson and Caleb Ransaw taking on bigger roles, making Wingard's return less essential. At cornerback, the Jaguars acquired Greg Newsome II midseason, but with the emergence of 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter, they can't justify the financial commitment to keep Newsome. Finally, running back Travis Etienne Jr. is one of the league's most explosive dual-threat backs, but with the team's salary cap constraints and the emergence of Bhayshul Tuten and DeeJay Dallas, letting Etienne walk is the fiscally responsible move, even if it's an unpopular one.

  • The Jaguars finished the 2025 season with a 13-4 record, their best mark since 1999.
  • The Jaguars lost a narrow 27-24 Wild Card playoff game to the Buffalo Bills to end their 2025 season.
  • The Jaguars are projected to have a $13.5 million salary cap deficit heading into the 2026 offseason.

The players

Andrew Wingard

A special teams catalyst, locker room leader, and fan favorite safety who has been with the Jaguars since 2019. However, with the team's secondary getting younger and faster, Wingard's role has become increasingly redundant.

Greg Newsome II

A cornerback the Jaguars acquired midseason from the Cleveland Browns to provide coverage stability for their playoff push. While he delivered, the Jaguars' long-term cornerback plans center around 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter, making Newsome's return financially unviable.

Travis Etienne Jr.

One of the league's most explosive dual-threat running backs. However, with the Jaguars' salary cap constraints and the emergence of Bhayshul Tuten and DeeJay Dallas, letting the 27-year-old Etienne walk is the fiscally responsible move, even if it's an unpopular one.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Success changes everything in the NFL. That includes expectations, timelines, and most importantly, financial pressure.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

“Letting productive players walk is never easy, particularly after a division-winning season. At the same time, strategic restraint is often what separates flash contenders from sustainable powers.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

What’s next

The Jaguars must navigate a delicate offseason balancing act, retaining defensive cornerstones while making tough decisions on pending free agents like Wingard, Newsome, and Etienne to maintain long-term financial flexibility and roster sustainability.

The takeaway

The Jaguars' 2025 resurgence proved the franchise has arrived, but staying among the NFL's elite will require ruthless roster management. Allowing veteran contributors to depart is never easy, but it's a necessary step to align the team's financial reality with its evolving youth movement and long-term contention plans.