Legendary Maurice Jones-Drew warns Jaguars GM James Gladstone: Tough decisions worth more than $17 million await ahead
The Jacksonville Jaguars closed the 2025 season with many positive signs, but according to team legend Maurice Jones-Drew, this is not the time for complacency. In his latest analysis, the former Pro Bowl running back believes the Jaguars are standing at a critical crossroads: either accept painful personnel decisions, or remain tied down by inefficient salary-cap spending.
Jones-Drew emphasized that Jacksonville’s biggest issue is not a lack of star power, but how resources are allocated. With Trevor Lawrence entering a pivotal stage of his career, the Jaguars need financial flexibility to protect their franchise quarterback and complete the roster. According to Jones-Drew, decisively moving on from two underperforming players could free up more than $13–17 million in cap space.
The first name Jones-Drew pointed to is Walker Little, a left tackle once expected to become a long-term cornerstone. However, inconsistent performance and a history of injuries have kept Little from meeting expectations. With his 2026 cap hit ranging from roughly $7.2 million to more than $14 million depending on structure, he has become a clear trade candidate in the eyes of analysts.
According to Jones-Drew, the Jaguars need to upgrade the offensive line in both quality and youthful depth. Keeping Little no longer aligns with that direction. Moving on from him would not only save cap space, but could also bring back draft picks to reinvest in protecting Trevor Lawrence — a priority that is vital to the team’s future.
The second name generating even more debate is Brian Thomas Jr. The young wide receiver has shown upside, but his second season produced just 728 yards and included early-season drop issues. With a crowded receiver room featuring Travis Hunter, Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and the possibility of retaining Tim Patrick, the Jaguars are viewed as being able to “shop” Thomas Jr. without damaging the offensive structure.
Jones-Drew delivered a blunt warning message to the Jaguars’ leadership: “You can’t build a championship team if you keep holding on to contracts that don’t deliver matching value. Sometimes the best way forward is accepting loss. These decisions aren’t about a lack of belief in the player, but about responsibility to the team’s future.”
According to the former Jaguars star, the money saved from these two potential moves should be reinvested directly into protecting Trevor Lawrence and strengthening both sides of the ball. Jones-Drew’s final message is crystal clear: Jacksonville does not lack talent, but the path back to Super Bowl contention begins only when GM James Gladstone is willing to make the toughest decisions.
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