Why the Jaguars released RB Chris Ivory just 2 years into his contract

Chris Ivory was one of the biggest free agent additions for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 when he signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the team. But after just two seasons, the Jaguars are cutting ties with Ivory, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

It’s an unsurprising move for the Jaguars even though it means $3 million in dead money for the 2018 season, $2 million in 2019 and $1 million in 2020.

Ivory, who will turn 30 in March, was a Pro Bowler in his final season with the New York Jets before signing with the Jaguars. But in two seasons in Jacksonville, he managed just 821 rushing yards, four touchdowns and a 3.6 yards per carry average.

His roster spot was eventually doomed by the addition of Leonard Fournette — the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft who had 1,040 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground during his rookie season.

T.J. Yeldon also stole carries from Ivory late in the 2017 season after sitting as a healthy scratch for the first six games of the year. Yeldon finished the season with 5.2 yards per carry and is the favorite for now to back up Fournette in 2018.

By releasing Ivory, the Jaguars will recoup $3,968,750 in cap space for the 2018 season, $5 million in 2019 and $7.5 million in 2020. The chance to get some of that money back was an easy choice for Jacksonville now that Fournette’s running the show.

Ivory had 382 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and added 175 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. Those aren’t eye-popping stats, and Ivory has already passed the dreaded 30-year-old threshold for running backs.

But Ivory was also splitting carries with Fournette, who was a force in his rookie season, and Yeldon. This might be the end of the road for him. But he still could catch on somewhere as a complementary back in a strong rotation.