Jaguars Release Fred Taylor

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The Jacksonville Jags released running back Fred Taylor today. I wasn’t surprised and I’m sure Fred wasn’t, either. He hasn’t been the team’s number one running back for several seasons and didn’t fit with the team’s ongoing, offseason facelift. So after 11 years in Jacksonville, Fred was given his walking papers. It’s difficult to see this happen — especially when the guy has been such a good player for one team for so long. But I can understand why the decision was made. And apparently, it wasn’t about the money. Fred is 33-years-old and was scheduled to make $6 million next season. Let’s face it. In the National Football League, 33-year-old running backs do not make $6 million. But he was willing to take a pay cut. So, Fred’s age played more into this decision than anything financial. The Jags wanted to work with their crop of younger running backs. Head coach Jack Del Rio talked about it:

“He clearly wanted to play football so, out of respect to him, we’re doing this early so he’ll have a chance to catch on. We just see a very talented group of backs, a very competitive group, and felt it’s time to move on as a football team. He’s still got some talent. I’m sure there will be interest by other teams.”

I think Fred could expect roughly 10-12 touches per game playing as a backup to a younger teammate at the running back position. After all, he’s got some tread on his tires. He’s piled up 11,271 yards in his career, good for 16th place on the all-time NFL rushing list. It’s rare a running back lasts as long as Fred has. So a limited role is really the only reasonable option.

Source: Jaguars.com, Photo: Newscom