The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially parted ways with wide receiver Gabe Davis, announcing his release on Wednesday morning. This decision comes just a year after the team signed Davis to a three-year contract worth $39 million, which included $24 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old receiver, who joined the Jaguars following four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, was expected to be a significant addition to the team’s receiving corps but ultimately fell short of expectations.
During his time in Jacksonville, Davis struggled to make an impact, recording only 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns across ten games. His average of 12.7 yards per catch was the lowest of his five-year career, and he faced challenges with consistency, catching fewer than 50% of his targets, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). A knee injury, specifically a torn meniscus, limited his performance and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024 season after Week 15.
Before joining the Jaguars, Davis had a promising career with the Bills, where he averaged 683 receiving yards and seven touchdowns per season. His breakout performance came during the Bills’ divisional round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, where he caught eight passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns. However, that success did not translate to his time in Jacksonville, where he was unable to establish himself as a reliable target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars’ decision to release Davis also reflects a shift in the team’s strategy under new general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen. With the emergence of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who set franchise records with 87 receptions and 1,287 receiving yards in his first year, and the addition of two-way star Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team felt it no longer needed Davis, despite the financial implications of his release.
If released as a pre-June 1st designation, Davis leaves behind a dead cap hit of $20.3 million for the Jaguars. Alternatively, if designated as a post-June 1st cut, the dead cap would decrease to $5.7 million, although he would still count against the salary cap for the following year. This financial aspect adds another layer to the decision, as the Jaguars navigate their roster and cap space heading into the upcoming season.
In addition to Davis, the Jaguars have made several other changes to their receiving corps this offseason, including the release of tight end Evan Engram and wide receiver Josh Reynolds, as well as trading wide receiver Christian Kirk to Houston. These moves indicate a significant overhaul in the team's offensive strategy as they look to bolster their roster for the 2025 season.
As Davis embarks on the next chapter of his career, he is expected to draw interest from other teams in need of a deep threat. While his time in Jacksonville was marred by injury and underperformance, his previous success with the Bills and big-play ability could make him an attractive option for teams looking to enhance their wide receiver depth.
The Jaguars are preparing for their upcoming rookie minicamp, which will now have an open roster spot following Davis’ release. This presents an opportunity for a young player to step up and claim a position on the team as they head into the offseason workouts.
In conclusion, the release of Gabe Davis marks a significant moment for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they continue to reshape their roster under new leadership. With the team’s focus shifting towards younger talent and a new offensive strategy, Davis’ exit highlights the competitive nature of the NFL and the constant evolution of team dynamics.
