The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided not to exercise the fifth-year option for defensive end Dante Fowler, Jr. The option would have paid/will pay Fowler $14.2 million guaranteed in 2019 if he’s on the roster and is guaranteed if he’s injured in 2018 and could not pass a physical prior to the start of the league year.
“We do like Dante and we feel that he’s on the verge of having a great season, but we did not pick up the fifth-year option at this time,” Jaguars executive vice president Tom Coughlin said in a team release.
“He is making good progress and we like how he practices and how he plays, as he did in the AFC Championship game, and we want him to have a great season and earn a new long-term contract with us this year.