In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has taken unprecedented and dramatic action following the team’s disappointing Wild Card playoff exit against the Buffalo Bills.
After a season that saw the Jaguars finish with an impressive 13-4 record, capture the AFC South title, and ride an eight-game winning streak into the postseason, the 27-24 loss at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026, apparently crossed an invisible line for the embattled owner.
In a strongly worded statement released late Monday evening, Khan announced the immediate removal of six key players from the organization’s roster plans for the 2026 season.
The declaration, dripping with frustration and disappointment, included the now-infamous line: “They don’t deserve to wear this jersey anymore.” The blunt assessment has ignited a firestorm of controversy, dividing fans, analysts, and former players alike.
The Jaguars’ 2025 campaign was, by almost every objective measure, a resounding success. Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, the team transformed from a 4-13 squad the previous year into one of the league’s most explosive offenses, setting a franchise record with 474 points scored.
Trevor Lawrence delivered what many considered the finest season of his young career, while the defense ranked first in the NFL against the run. The team clinched the division with a dominant win over the Tennessee Titans and hosted a home playoff game for the first time in years.
Yet, in the Wild Card matchup against a veteran Buffalo Bills squad led by Josh Allen, the Jaguars faltered in the clutch. Despite a furious fourth-quarter rally that saw Lawrence throw two touchdowns to bring the game within striking distance, a late interception sealed their fate.
For Khan, the owner who has invested hundreds of millions into the franchise since purchasing it in 2011, the defeat represented not just a single-game failure, but a betrayal of the standard he expects from his players.
The six players targeted for removal are among the most recognizable names on the current roster:
Travis Etienne Jr. – The dynamic running back who has been the engine of the Jaguars’ ground game. Despite consistent production and flashes of brilliance, including a touchdown in the playoff loss, Khan reportedly views Etienne’s big-play inconsistency in critical moments as unacceptable.
Josh Hines-Allen – The veteran edge rusher and one of the team’s longest-tenured defensive leaders. His passionate post-game comments about using the loss as motivation apparently did little to sway the owner’s opinion.
Evan Engram – The talented tight end whose injury history and occasional drops have frustrated the front office for years. Despite solid contributions in 2025, his name appeared on the list. Foyesade Oluokun – The hard-hitting linebacker and defensive captain.
His leadership was praised throughout the season, but Khan’s statement suggests the owner believes certain veterans have grown too comfortable. Brandon Scherff – The veteran guard acquired to bolster the offensive line. Despite providing stability, questions about his durability and performance in pass protection reportedly sealed his fate.
Tyson Campbell – The young cornerback who has shown star potential but struggled with injuries and inconsistency in coverage during key games.
The list, confirmed through multiple league sources close to the organization, has left fans reeling. Many supporters point out that several of these players were integral to the team’s turnaround and record-setting regular season.
Social media erupted with hashtags like #DuvalDeservesBetter and #KhanOut, as supporters expressed outrage over what they see as an overreaction to a single playoff defeat.
Khan’s statement did not mince words:
“We built this team to compete for championships, not moral victories. We had the talent, the coaching, the home-field advantage—and we let it slip away. These six individuals failed to rise to the moment when it mattered most.
They don’t deserve to wear this jersey, and they won’t be back in 2026. We owe it to the fans, to Trevor [Lawrence], and to everyone who bleeds teal to demand more.”
The timing of the announcement—barely 48 hours after the season ended—has drawn particular criticism. NFL insiders note that roster decisions of this magnitude are typically handled quietly during the offseason, with contracts, cap space, and free agency considerations in mind.
Khan’s public scorched-earth approach is seen as highly unusual for an NFL owner.
Former Jaguars players and analysts have weighed in heavily.
One ex-defensive starter, speaking anonymously, called the move “a complete overreaction and a slap in the face to guys who gave everything.” National pundits have questioned whether Khan’s intervention could destabilize the locker room and alienate Lawrence, who has remained publicly silent but is reportedly “shocked” by the owner’s comments.
Fan reaction in Jacksonville has been mixed but passionate. While some die-hard supporters applaud Khan for showing accountability and refusing to accept mediocrity, the majority appear stunned.
Tailgating groups, local bars, and online forums have been filled with debates about loyalty, ownership overreach, and what this means for the future of a franchise that finally seemed to be turning the corner.
As the Jaguars enter what promises to be a tumultuous offseason, questions abound: Will Lawrence request a trade if key teammates are jettisoned? Can the front office rebuild chemistry around a suddenly depleted core? And perhaps most importantly—will Khan’s bold, controversial gamble ultimately lead to greater success, or will it fracture a team that was so close to breaking through?
For now, the Jaguars stand at a crossroads. A season of historic achievement ended in heartbreak, and the owner’s response has ensured that the story of 2025 will be remembered not just for the wins, but for the dramatic, polarizing purge that followed.
Only time will tell whether Shahid Khan’s uncompromising vision saves the franchise—or dooms it.
