Many thought Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder would be the next cap casualty for the franchise after their decision to release linebacker Myles Jack to create $8 million in cap space. If Jacksonville elected to release Linder, the team would save $9.53 million. However, the Associated Press’ Mark Long reported that Linder is mulling retirement after eight injury-filled seasons.
They reported that Linder and general manager Trent Baalke met on Wednesday when the Jaguars originally planned to tell him in person that they are releasing him. But Baalke agreed to give Linder time to decide whether he wants to retire or play elsewhere, according to their anonymous source.
Linder has played and started in 88 games since Jacksonville drafted him from Miami in the third round in 2014, but he has also missed 41 games due to various injuries and 22 the past two seasons.
There is no doubt that Linder would find a landing spot elsewhere if he wants to keep playing in the NFL.
Jacksonville already has a contingency plan in place once Linder makes a decision. It re-signed backup center Tyler Shatley to a two-year, $4.8 million contract last month. The move to bring him back was an attempt to bolster the offensive line unit that allowed second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence to be sacked 32 times in 2021.
Shatley, who has been with the Jags since 2014, can play both guard and center for the team. In 2021, he registered eight starts in Linder’s place after the veteran center sustained an ankle and MCL injury Week 5 against Tennessee. Shatley finished the season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 60.7 after taking 532 total offensive snaps. His versatility gives them options heading forward in terms of what the team could add to the interior of the offensive line in free agency or the draft.
