Gabe Davis joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2024 on a three-year, $39 million contract that included $24 million in guarantees. Unfortunately, in Week 11, he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and was forced to miss the final six games of the season.
The veteran wide receiver appeared set to return to the field to begin next year, but Davis was shockingly released by the Jaguars on Wednesday, May 7. Mitch Morse, who has been teammates with Davis for his entire career, took to X to call out the organization for releasing the former fourth-round pick out of UCF.
Former Teammate Backs Gabe Davis Following Jacksonville Jaguars Release
Morse, who was teammates with Davis in Jacksonville last season and spent the previous four seasons with him as members of the Buffalo Bills, took to X to reveal that he was shocked by the move, stating, “Absolute tone setter in the locker room and on the field. PERFECT culture guy. Played hurt all last year, didn’t complain about it once… having a tough time wrapping my head around this one.”
Davis had a solid four-year stretch with the Bills, who selected him in Round 4 at No. 128 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. In Buffalo, he recorded 2,730 total receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 163 receptions in 64 games played. However, Davis struggled to produce at the same level in his lone season with the Jaguars. He appeared in just 10 games before suffering a torn meniscus, finishing with 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
While Davis appeared set to be a part of the Jaguars’ offensive attack, Brian Thomas Jr. had a monster rookie season. Furthermore, the organization drafted two-way star Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after trading up to get him. Jacksonville has since revealed that Hunter will be allowed to play both wide receiver and cornerback as he did at the collegiate level, where he took home the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
It originally appeared that Jacksonville would absorb a $20.3 million dead cap hit by releasing Davis. However, they designated the move as a post-June 1 release. As a result, the Jaguars will be able to absorb only a $5.7 million dead cap hit in 2025.
It’s unclear where Davis will wind up as he re-enters free agency for the second consecutive year. There has been speculation online, however, that a reunion with the Bills could be an option for the veteran wideout. Buffalo is one option, as well as a few other potential landing spots.