Jacksonville Jaguars release DE Red Bryant after one season
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released defensive end Red Bryant one year after Bryant joined the team, according Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union on Thursday.
Bryant signed with Jacksonville last March, reuniting with coach Gus Bradley, who was Bryant's defensive coordinator during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
Bryant, who will turn 31 next month, lost his starting job to recently signed free agent defensive end Jared Odrick. In his lone season with the Jags, Bryant started all 16 games, recording 23 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He was on the field for more than 40 plays in only two games.
• Jacksonville locks down Odrick, Parnell after missing out on Suh
Bryant was also due a $500,000 roster bonus on Sunday. Releasing him freed up an additional $4.5 million in cap space for Jacksonville.
Bryant was a fourth-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. In six seasons as a Seahawk, Bryant had 124 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one touchdown in 64 games.
According to O'Halloran, Odrick, 27, offers the Jaguars more flexibility, as he can play either end and tackle and on third downs. Bryant was used only on the strong side end position and rarely appeared on pass plays. In five career seasons, all with the Miami Dolphins, Odrick had 129 tackles, 16.5 sacks and one interception.
• NFL free agency: Best players remaining on the market
Jacksonville finished last season 3-13 and in third place in the AFC South. The Jaguars were No. 26 both in points allowed and yards allowed.
- Phil Watson
