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The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided to decline the fifth-year option for fourth-year offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, according to a report from Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
#Jaguars blog -- per league source, option on Joeckel declined. https://t.co/bSX6qIpuuj
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) May 2, 2016
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to most fans that the Jaguars have decided to decline the option for Joeckel, as it appears the time has finally moved on from the experiment of him with the option declined. The former No. 2 overall pick has been mediocre at best at the left tackle position and seemed to seal his fate with the final game of the 2015 season against the Houston Texans.
With the Jaguars signing Kelvin Beachum in the offseason, it seemed inevitable that Joeckel's tenure in Jacksonville was coming to an end. There is some thought that Joeckel could still start this season at the left tackle position or kick inside to guard, but I would be surprised if Joeckel is starting anywhere on the offensive line.
With the fifth-year option declined, Joeckel becomes a possible trading piece as we get closer to final cuts and the NFL trade deadline. The option would have paid Joeckel $11.9 million in 2017, guaranteed for injury.