JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kevin from New York City
In an effort to understand the business side of managing an NFL team roster, what would have been the downside of keeping Gabe Davis on the roster? Is it because he would have taken up a valuable slot in the 53-man roster?
With 2025 Jaguars rookie minicamp scheduled this weekend at the Miller Electric Center, we're perhaps (and hopefully) nearing the end of our brief-yet-memorable All-Gabe-Davis-all-the-time O-Zone era. Still, pretty much all questions are fair when a team releases a disappointing and high-priced unrestricted free agent after just one season – as the Jaguars did with the veteran wide receiver this past week. The Jaguars signed Davis to what essentially was a three-year deal with $24 million in guarantees last offseason. They released him Wednesday, absorbing $20.3 million in "dead salary cap money" in the process. The downside to keeping him is pretty much the one you laid out. Davis was going to be the fourth or five wide receiver on the Jaguars' roster in 2025 – at best. Teams need their fourth or fifth wide receiver to play on special teams. Davis wasn't going to play special teams, so yes … he would have bene taking up a valuable spot on the 53-man roster. That's the biggest reason he was released.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. I don't know about you, but I would be willing to take a chance in making $1,000,000 per catch in a game even though for me I would be knocked unconscious and injured for life after a few tackles by the big guys. Also: $100,000 per yard gained isn't too bad either. I guess it kinda sucks for owners to lose $24 million on the simple roll of dice.
I learned long ago you drive yourself nuts – and make yourself more than a little nauseous –spending too much time focused on how much money disappointing NFL players make per catch, per carry, per yard, etc. And while Jaguars Owner Shad Khan undoubtedly would have preferred not to have paid Davis $24 million for 20 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season, it's sort of like how I spent $350 on a gas pressure washer a year or so back. I used it a few times. When I went to use it a few weeks back, some sort of gasket or tank or something or other was cracked or something. And so ended the era of that gas pressure washer. I bought an electric pressure washer. It works better. And it doesn't leave oil stains on the pavers. I learned. I moved on – a little poorer perhaps. But hey …
Hilarious from Funnytown
After breaking it down, the Gabe Davis contract sure sounded like a stinker. When you factor in the production, I think anyone (kids with vocabularies included) would want to distance themselves from that decision.
Well, yeah.
Bill from Ponte Vedra, FL
I am going to rookie minicamp. Are there undrafted free agents I should be watching?
The Jaguars signed 22 undrafted collegiate free agents shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft, which gives them a 31-player rookie class for this weekend's minicamp. There also will be a few first-year veterans and tryout players participating. Rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter – the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft – undoubtedly will be the day's storyline, but the Jaguars' collegiate free agents indeed also will be a storyline. General Manager James Gladstone believes strongly in "UDFAs," and it wouldn't be a surprise to see several make the 2025 roster and contribute. Four 2025 Jaguars UDFAs attended the NFL Scouting Combine – Oklahoma defensive lineman Ethan Downs, Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, Arkansas running back Ja'Quinden Jackson and Oregon defensive back Jabbar Muhammad. Minnesota defensive lineman Danny Striggow participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl. Those five free agents are a good place to start when watching Saturday.
Al from Fruit Cove, FL
Does the "post June 1" designation mean that Gabe Davis cannot negotiate or sign with another team until next month?
No. Davis upon his release is free to sign with whatever team might be interested in signing him.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Did we lose any unrestricted free agents this year that make the Jaguars eligible for receiving compensatory draft selections next year?
The Jaguars won't receive a compensatory selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. The NFL awards compensatory selections to "compensate" for losses such as unrestricted free agents signings elsewhere. They award these based on free agency losses and gains from the previous offseason. Remember: Although former Jaguars safety Andre Cisco signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Jaguars again partook in free agency by signing multiple players – including wide receiver Dyami Brown, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, center Robert Hainsey and guard Patrick Mekari. Their gains will counteract the losses in the compensatory formula, so they likely won't receive a '26 compensatory selection.
Fred from Naples, FL
Is cornerback Jalen Ramsey already a Hall of Famer?
No. Ramsey, the No. 5 overall selection by the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft, is still an active player with the Miami Dolphins and a player must be retired five seasons to be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If you're asking whether Ramsey is a lock to eventually be enshrined … well, that's an intriguing question. The thought here is that Ramsey had Hall-of-Fame, elite talent. He was a three-time All-Pro selection and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Those credentials could get him into the Hall. But I don't think at this point it's a guarantee.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
I was a little surprised that the new pontiff didn't choose Pope Gabriel Davis II as his papal name because let's face it the guy has now performed two miracles. He caught four touchdown passes in a playoff game for the Buffalo Bills and earned $1.2 million per reception for the Jaguars. Yeah, he was released ... released straight into sainthood.
Loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know we talk a lot in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. This was a rather roundabout way to not be nice.
Fred from Naples, FL
Perhaps you can help me as I am a bit confused. NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks said this week on "Huddle Up" that Gabe Davis had a bad attitude and was a malcontent on and off the field and that he didn't fit into the new ecosystem of the Jaguars. However, the recently retired Mitch Morse tweeted out after Gabe's release on what a great teammate and locker room guy he was who exhibited strong leadership. I realize that they both played together in Buffalo; but who are we to believe?
Bucky Brooks saw what he saw and former Jaguars center Mitch Morse saw what he saw. Different people with different perspectives sometimes see situations differently. I never saw first-hand evidence of Davis being a malcontent. But Brooks works on the Jaguars' sidelines during games, which is a good perspective.
Sean from Saint Johns City, FL
Is it possible the infamous sideline altercation was a contributing factor?
Many things play into decisions, directly or indirectly.
David from Jacksonville
I checked out a few of Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten's YouTube highlight reels and really didn't see any long breakaway runs. I hear that he has this ridiculous speed, but don't see these long touchdowns ... am I missing something? It just appears like it's not game speed. Thoughts?
A YouTube video doeth not a career maketh. Tuten hath game speed.
Dave from Waunakee
OK, the Gene Frenette comments have reached the status of the annual K'Lavon Chaisson arguments, can we please be done?
I confess I don't recall all that many arguments over former Jaguars linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson. Either way, I suppose we'll be done discussing former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette when people stop submitting questions about longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette and not a moment prior.
Al from Orange Park, FL
A lot of the talking heads are talking about the Jags trading ETN. As John always says, why the hurry to trade good players? What are your thoughts on this topic?
I think that trading running back Travis Etienne Jr. is a possibility and the Jaguars may even have explored it – as teams do before and around the NFL Draft. I also think it's tough to trade a running back in the final year of a contract who is projected to make $6.1 million in that season. And yes … I do believe teams are sometimes too quick to trade players. This is a league of attrition. Players get hurt.
Myron from Livermore
Dear, John. Tap … tap … is this thing on?
No. It's not.
