The Jacksonville Jaguars will release cornerback Darious Williams to clear $11.5 million in salary cap space, according Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
Williams, who turns 31 this month, signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars in 2022 with the thought that he’d take over as the slot cornerback. After struggling in the role, Williams was moved outside late in his first season with the team and thrived.
In 2023, Williams put together a strong season. He had the second-highest grade of any Jaguars defender from PFF and finished second in the NFL in pass defenses with 19.
The Jaguars have made no effort to hide the fact that they want to add talent at cornerback, though. During his press conference at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke called cornerback a “group that we need to address.”
Williams was due to count $12 million against the Jaguars’ salary cap in 2024 and will now count as $500,000 in dead money. In two seasons in Jacksonville, he recorded four interceptions, two forced fumbles, 35 passes defended and 106 total tackles.
