By: Hays Carlyon
And just like that, the Jaguars have salary-cap space.
NFL Network reported on Monday that the Jaguars will decline to pick up the option on two veteran players: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and linebacker Jake Ryan.
Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone are scheduled to address reporters Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The Jaguars are currently $1.4 million over the projected salary cap, according to spotrac.com. Declining Dareus’ option creates a $20-million cap savings, while the Ryan decision opens up another $6 million.
That would leave the Jaguars roughly $25 million under the cap, with several key decisions still to be made involving cornerback A.J. Bouye, defensive end Calais Campbell, left guard Andrew Norwell, receiver Marqise Lee, tight end Geoff Swaim and defensive tackle Abry Jones.
The Jaguars also have to decide how to proceed with free-agent-to-be defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who is seeking a lucrative long-term deal.
Dareus, who turns 30 on March 13, joined the Jaguars in a midseason trade with Buffalo in 2017. In 33 games for the Jaguars counting the playoffs, Dareus recorded 55 tackles with 4 ½ sacks. He missed the final 10 games of last season with a core muscle injury.
Ryan was signed last offseason from Green Bay. He made no impact as a setback from a 2018 knee injury sustained while playing for the Packers limited him to two games. He did not make a tackle for the Jaguars.
(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon)
