Jaguar Report

3 Potential Cap-Saving Measures Jaguars Could Make

If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to create more cap space in 2026, they have some clear options to do so.
Sep 21, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone on the field during pregame against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone on the field during pregame against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

In this story:


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are officially in the offseason.

The Jaguars had a fantastic 2025 season, but it came to an end with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Now, the Jaguars must look ahead and find new ways to provide the roster with an influx of talent to sustain success for years to come.

As things stand today, the Jaguars have around $7.695 million in available cap space ahead of free agency in March. Considering the Jaguars will need room to sign their draft picks and perhaps bring back some of their own free agents, the Jaguars will have to make cap-saving measures in some ways.

There are a variety of ways to do so, such as trades, restructures, post- and pre-June 1st cuts. In this space, we will look at which players have contracts that the Jaguars could release to save cap space. This isn't to say we are advocating for any such moves, but on paper these are three they could make.

TE Johnny Mundt

nf
Dec 14, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt (86) warms up during pregame warmups against the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

The Jaguars signed Johnny Mundt to a two-year, $5.5 million deal last March after he had stops with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings in similar offenses and familiar coaches. Mundt finished the season with nine catches on 19 targets for 111 yards and appearing in 16 games. Mundt was fine for the role he was signed to play, but it certainly feels like this is one position the Jaguars could explore upgrades at.

The math on moving on from Mundt is the same regardless of if it is a post- or pre-June 1st release. The Jaguars would save $2,735,294 while taking on $500,000 in dead cap. Is Mundt's spot on the roster worth roughly $2 million? That is what the Jaguars may have to configure.

DL Arik Armstead

nf
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

An important piece of the Jaguars' defense this season, Armstead was one of the NFL's most productive pass-rushing defensive tackles during the first few months of the season. A hand injury played a role for Armstead's end of the season, and it became clear on Sunday how badly they could have used him at 100%.

It would not make much sense to even consider moving off Armstead's deal without some kind of plan in place along the defensive line. The Jaguars are already losing a few veterans up front, and Armstead is far and away their best and most impactful interior rusher. With that in mind, the Jaguars would save $14,485,294 with a post-June 1st cut and take up $4,900,000 in dead money. A pre-June 1st move isn't feasible,

OL Ezra Cleveland

nf
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ezra Cleveland (76) runs on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The drafting of Wyatt Milum in the third-round last year suggests the Jaguars could pave an easier path for him to the starting lineup. Ezra Cleveland had a good season for the Jaguars, displaying impressive toughness throughout the season. Milum, though, was drafted to be the future.

Another player who only makes sense as a post-June 1st move, the Jaguars would save $7,750,000 in cap space if they moved on from Cleveland in this fashion, while taking on $2,200,000 in dead cap. Like the other two moves, this isn't one the Jaguars have to make, but it is one of several options on hand.

Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Jaguars when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news.  SIGN UP HERE NOW.

Follow us on X (Twitter) @JaguarsOnSI and @_John_Shipley and make sure you like our Facebook page, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.


Published
John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.

Share on XFollow _john_shipley