Why Did the Jaguars Released Gabe Davis? Breaking Down the Surprise Move
Just 14 months after signing a $39 million deal, wide receiver Gabe Davis is no longer a Jacksonville Jaguar. The team released him on May 7 in a move that surprised fans — and even shocked one of his former teammates.
Former center Mitch Morse, who played with Davis in both Buffalo and Jacksonville, took to social media, calling Davis the kind of player every locker room needs.
“Absolute tone setter… Played hurt all last year, didn’t complain once… I’m having a tough time wrapping my head around this one,” Morse posted on X.
So what happened? Why would a team let go of a player it invested so heavily in? Let’s break it down.
Was It All About Injuries?
Injuries played a big part in Davis’ forgettable 2024 season. After suffering a torn meniscus in Week 11, Davis missed the final six games of the year. Before that, he also sat out Week 9 with a shoulder injury.
Even when he was on the field, he wasn’t 100%. Snap counts show a steady drop from 95% of offensive plays in Week 2 to just 69% by Week 7.
Davis tried to fight through it, but it’s clear the Jaguars were paying close attention. When a new front office arrives — and Davis isn’t producing — injuries don’t help your case.
Were the Stats Just Not There?
Unfortunately, Davis didn’t deliver in the box score either. He finished with:
- 20 receptions on 42 targets
- 239 receiving yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 1 fumble
His best outing came in Week 1, with 62 yards in a loss to Miami. After that, it was mostly quiet. Both touchdowns came in a blowout loss against the Bears in Week 6.
Some might point to Trevor Lawrence’s shoulder injury later in the year, but Davis struggled even when the quarterback was healthy. His catch rate of 47.6% didn’t help his case either — and while he faced criticism for drops, that percentage is only slightly below his Buffalo average (54.5%).
Did the Contract Make Things Worse?
Here’s where things get complicated. Davis had signed a 3-year, $39 million deal, with $24 million guaranteed. That means the Jaguars paid:
- Roughly $1.2 million per catch
- Over $100,000 per receiving yard
Ouch.
He’s still owed $11 million in 2025, but by designating him as a post-June 1 release, the team limits its dead cap hit to $5.7 million instead of $20.3 million. That gives Jacksonville a little more breathing room.
Are the Jaguars Just Resetting the Receiver Room?
Absolutely. This move was part of a much larger shake-up led by new head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone.
They already traded Christian Kirk to the Texans, unloading the final chunk of his massive contract. They also released tight end Evan Engram, freeing up additional cap space.
The plan? Go young. Go fast.
It starts with No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, the Colorado star who’s expected to play both offense and defense. Last year, he racked up:
- 92 catches
- 1,152 receiving yards
- 14 touchdowns
That’s elite production. And he’s not alone. The team added Brian Thomas Jr. and signed Dyami Brown from Washington. They also like what they’ve seen from second-year wideout Parker Washington.
Was Gabe Davis Just the Odd Man Out?
In the end, that’s exactly what happened. The Jaguars are rebuilding around Trevor Lawrence, and they want to surround him with young, explosive playmakers.
Davis, now 25, was a veteran with a big contract and a history of inconsistent production. That made him expendable.
Even though he was well-liked in the locker room and tough enough to play through injury, the Jaguars are focused on the future — and that future didn’t include Davis.
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