The Jaguars have declined to pick up left tackle Luke Joeckel’s fifth-year contract option, meaning he will likely be an unrestricted free agent next March.
First-round picks from the 2013 draft had to be informed Monday of whether their option had been exercised. Joeckel was selected second overall.
The Jaguars’ decision wasn’t surprising because they signed Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum last month. Beachum won’t be able to practice until early August because of a knee injury, but the team has declared left tackle an open competition.
Had the Jaguars picked up Joeckel’s option, his 2017 salary would be around $11.