The Jaguars informed defensive tackle Malik Jackson that he will be released, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jackson still has three years to go on the six-year, $85.5MM contract he inked in 2016, but the Jags will cut him to save $11MM against $4MM in dead money. 
Jackson didn’t missed a single game during his time with the Jaguars and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017. However, he took a bit of a step back in 2018, and he was ultimately benched for Taven Bryan down the stretch. He finished the season with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks, with Pro Football Focus ranking him just 85th among 112 interior defenders.
The Jaguars tried, and failed, to find a suitable trade for Jackson. Jackson still has value, of course, but no team gave real consideration to adding the veteran at his current salary. After his release is finalized, he’ll be free to sign elsewhere, albeit at a cheaper rate than his previous deal.
After losing his starting job in December, Jackson saw the writing on the wall.
“In my mind, if I’m third or fourth on the depth chart making $14.5MM to $15MM, I don’t see too much future for me in Jacksonville,” Jackson said. “I’m not trying to be a journeyman by any means. But it’s a business and soon as you try to forget that then it’s a rude awakening for sure.”
Hey, at least he could read the writing on the wall.