How the Jaguars Can Fix Their Salary Cap Problem
Earlier in the month, the NFL announced an increase to the 2026 salary cap to about $303.5 million. However, this still leaves the Jacksonville Jaguars anywhere from nine to $11 million over the cap of the new year, which begins in less than a month on March 11th. General manager James Gladstone is far from concerned, however, as there are multiple options he can take to get this team back under the cap, such as restructuring contracts or extensions. The problem with any of these options is the agreement from the players’ side, which, if they are not on the same page, could result in unloading some of these players through potential trades, especially on draft night. Before it gets to that point, the Jaguars will have to negotiate and try to keep their roster intact to push for another successful season.
The first potential restructuring the Jaguars can do is with veteran defensive end Arik Armstead. The Jaguars signed Armstead to a three-year, $43.5 million contract in 2024, and he’s done decently to back that up. His best season with the team was 2025, when the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year was a key piece of the elite run-stopping defensive line. Simply restructuring the 32-year-old’s contract would save the team about $9.7 million in cap, which would nearly put the team back under. Yes, Jacksonville can also trade away Armstead and find themselves opening up $14.4 million, but trading away what is now a key piece to the defensive line could ruin team chemistry and be hard to replicate. Another option to restructure is offensive lineman Walker Little. The Jaguars have already extended veteran Cole Van Lanen, leaving little to desire from Little, who has also spent time riding the bench for Jacksonville after letting up a career-worst nine sacks. If the Jaguars don’t outright trade Little for draft capital or depth, which would save the team $7.2 million, a restructuring could save the team $7.7 million.
If the Jaguars don’t go the restructuring route, contract extensions can ensure that the team avoids cap hits over future seasons as the market continues to grow. For example, the Jaguars could extend star Travon Walker, who’s only improved season after season. A long-term contract extension for Walker could significantly improve the team’s cap relief, which experts say could free up $11 million in 2026 alone. Another option is tight end Brenton Strange, who had a career year in 2025 with 46 receptions for 540 yards. Although Strange is currently still in his rookie deal, with a cap hit of only two million dollars. However, extending players like him and Parker Washington, who’s also at the end of their rookie contract, would save the team the trouble of fighting with the market for these young players and give the team a chance to save money in the future.
