There are many reasons we can point to in our effort to explain why the Jacksonville Jaguars struggled in 2024. Trevor Lawrance's health and inconsistency come to mind.
Similarly, the Jags had a struggling offensive line that couldn't run block well enough to pick up a few yards, and the odd decision to rotate defensive linemen so much that defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen were off the field more than they should've been—not to mention moving defensive tackle Arik Armstead to the outside.
However, there were fewer bad decisions quite as bad as the free agent signing of former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis. Of course, it's always risky to tap the free agency market for aging talent—you're going to overpay, and it's a roll of the dice as to what you get.
At the time, Davis was still 25 years old and still considered in his prime; the signing didn't look so bad when it happened. In retrospect? Not only is this single signing indicative of the larger problems the Jaguars faced last year—namely, a series of failed signings by Trent Baalke—but it cost the team over $20 million in dead cap space.
Related: Jaguars depth chart for Preseason Week 2 may at last put an end to WR dilemma
Former Jaguars WR Gabe Davis meets with the Steelers—again
With Aaron Rodgers now in a Pittsburgh uniform, the Steelers are trying to shore up the roster around him. The former Bills and Jaguars wide receiver already met with the Steelers once this offseason back in June, when the still-injured Davis was meeting with multiple teams as he tried to find a home after being cut from the Jaguars.
While they didn't close a deal then, the Steelers have brought him back for a second round of talks, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Former Jaguars and Bills WR Gabe Davis is flying back to Pittsburgh today and is scheduled to visit the Steelers on Tuesday for a second time this off-season, per source. Steelers continue seeking WR help. pic.twitter.com/buVwZXmOd0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2025
As we mentioned, Davis spent last season with the Jaguars, where he played only 10 games before being injured. The results? 20 receptions for 239 yards. If we do the math, that's nearly $1 million per catch and over $100,000 per yard (Davis was guaranteed $24 million for his contract).
That's wild.
Final thoughts
Perhaps Davis's abysmal time in Jacksonville was due more to the plethora of issues surrounding the team. Or maybe his performance never warranted such a contract in the first place.
Given that Davis still hasn't found a home, I'm leaning toward the latter.
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