Jaguars decide not to pick up team option on Kelvin Beachum

The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided not to pick up the team option on left tackle Kelvin Beachum, utilizing an option that allowed the team to release Beachum after just one season. The Jaguars had until Wednesday to make a decision on Beachum and since they have decided to release him, his $5 million option bonus is no longer guaranteed and his 2017 cap hit won't be $8.5 million.

Jaguars are not picking up LT Kelvin Beachum's option, sources say. So like Ryan Clady, he's headed to the free-agent market.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 16, 2017

The decision to keep Beachum on the roster was really a no-brainer for the Jaguars.

Oops.

Beachum had a solid season coming back from an ACL tear in 2015 and entering the 2017 season improvement in his play should be expected wherever he plays. Fact of the matter is, the Jaguars created an unnecessary hole on their roster. They had a solid left tackle and now they have to spend unnecessary risk and resources trying to not only replace him but get better.