Feb. 3, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET
What does the future hold for Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive lineman Walker Little?
This is a question because of how last season ended. With the emergence of Cole Van Lanen, he would take Little’s starting role at left tackle. This left Little to come off the bench and even play some guard when the Jaguars were navigating injuries.
With Van Lanen signing an extension late last season, he isn’t going anywhere and will be the presumed starting left tackle moving forward.
So what options do the Jaguars have with Little?
Well, as is the case with any player, there are three. Little can play out his current deal for the 2026 season. The Jaguars could release him or attempt to trade him.
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From a salary cap standpoint, there isn’t any incentive for the Jaguars to release Little. According to Over the Cap, it’s actually cheaper to have Little on the roster in 2026 than it would be to release him.
Even if the Jaguars released Little with a post-June 1st designation, they would only save $941,176 in salary cap space. If you ask me, I’d rather have Little on the roster providing depth than save that little in cap space.
Now, trading Little would save the Jaguars $7.26 million in 2026 salary cap space, but another team would have to be willing to take on his current deal. I’m not sure how likely that is as he comes with salaries of $11 million and $12 million the next two seasons.
I suppose a fourth option is the Jaguars could ask Little to take a paycut, but if Little isn’t worried about the Jaguars releasing him, he doesn’t have to accept that.
So to put a bow on all of this — what is the most likely outcome for 2026? Little is on the roster providing depth.
Next offseason, this conversation likely goes differently, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.