Shad Khan, a wealthy businessman who is well-known for his yacht-side dealings and his ‘empire builder‘ mustache, is going through a franchise-level detox that is anything but glitzy. Khan has now moved to a whole Rams rebirth after years of entrusting Trent Baalke with Jacksonville’s roster. However, not before spending $70 million in what appears to be the NFL’s equivalent of a corporate cleanse. The Jaguars aren’t simply starting over. They are erasing. And, Khan? He is paying fully for each erased file.
The priciest one? Trevor Lawrence’s deep-threat savior: Gabe Davis. Just last year, he agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract, and now he’s gone. With $5.35 million hitting this season and a painful $14.6 million arriving in 2026, Jacksonville will consume $20.3 million in dead cap, making it the fifth-highest cap hit on the team that year, for a player who isn’t even there.
Spotrac described it as: “An aggressive turnover for the #Jaguars has left behind over $70M of dead cap to the roster.” Without hesitation, the Jaguars have blown up contracts from the previous regime, leaving behind almost $70 million in dead cap. The financial devastation is as follows: A cap sheet disaster has resulted from contract voids, such as Brandon Scherff’s $13.8 million contract. Christian Kirk‘s trade ($13.6M). Mitch Morse‘s retirement ($3.2M). And the release of Gabe Davis ($20.3M), Evan Engram ($13.5M), Devin Duvernay ($3.8M), Ronald Darby ($2.75M), and Josh Reynolds ($0).
An aggressive turnover for the #Jaguars has left behind over $70M of dead cap to the roster.
Contract Void
Brandon Scherff: $13.8M
Release
Gabriel Davis: $20.3M
Evan Engram: $13.5M
Devin Duvernay: $3.8M
Ronald Darby: $2.75M
Josh Reynolds: $0
Trade
Christian Kirk: $13.6M…
— Spotrac (@spotrac) May 7, 2025
But why Davis? Because he was a Baalke guy. And only had 20 catches in 2024 because of injury and poor play. The new regime did not flinch. The Jaguars are making it very evident that this is no longer Baalke’s team. This is the monetary price Khan must pay to start afresh. The message, however, is more important than the money: this is a Rams-style makeover, right down to the coaching staff, the strategy, and even the analytical mindset. The Jaguars are bringing in a culture, not just a few players. And, cultural shifts are not inexpensive.
Shad Khan’s Rams takeover begins as Jaguars poach yet another L.A. executive
The front office moves scream accuracy. The Jaguars have completed a full-on Rams invasion by adding long-time Rams executive Brian Xanders to their leadership staff. Xanders, a draft expert and former Broncos general manager (2009–2012), joins former Rams GM James Gladstone and SVP Jake Temme. His résumé? Pristine. He helped create the Super Bowl 50’s core and selected players like Chris Harris Jr., Demaryius Thomas, and Von Miller. He most recently collaborated with Gladstone and Les Snead in Los Angeles.
This isn’t something out of the blue. Xanders is the third key Rams player to sign with Gladstone’s Jaguars. Let’s not forget head coach Liam Coen, another Rams alum, who has begun stacking his own staff with familiar philosophies — even if not directly poaching LA names. This offseason, the Jaguars even tried to sign Nate Scheelhaase and other Rams instructors. It’s evident that the new Jaguars management is modelled after Los Angeles, which is swift, forceful, and surgically analytical.
Jacksonville cleaned up to make room for the Rams’ brain trust. Pro scout Geep Chryst, college scouting director Michael Davis, football analyst Zach Beastline, personnel assistant Tom Gamble, and assistant general manager Ethan Waugh were fired. Gladstone has no intention of cleaning up Baalke’s mess. He is destroying it.
So, Shad Khan may be paying the $70 million, but he is actually purchasing hope with it. After years of mediocrity, a Rams-style makeover with accomplished executives like Xanders, Coen, and Gladstone is dangerous, but it might be the most audacious (and expensive) route to significance Jacksonville has ever taken.
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