Jaguars cut ties with QB after injury — what this means for the team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released quarterback Carter Bradley this week, parting ways with a young signal-caller who faced an injury setback during the preseason buildup. Bradley was waived with an injury settlement, a financial arrangement that provides a portion of a player’s salary to bridge the gap between release and potential return. The settlement amount is determined by the nature of the injury and what Bradley would have earned if he had remained healthy and on a roster.

Bradley’s path to the NFL has some notable footnotes. He is the son of former NFL head coach Gus Bradley, who currently serves as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. Carter, 26, originates from Fargo, North Dakota, but grew up playing high school football in the Jacksonville area. A three-star recruit out of high school, he initially committed to Toledo in the Mid-American Conference. For his final two collegiate seasons, Bradley transferred to South Alabama, where he earned all-conference recognition in the Sun Belt.

Bradley entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. The Raiders were the only team to place him on an active NFL roster, doing so during December of the 2024 season. Following his release by the Raiders in July 2025, he spent about a month with the San Francisco 49ers before winding up with the Jaguars. Jacksonville added him to their 2025 practice squad, where he remained for the rest of the year and into the offseason. He participated in summer activities and the preseason with the Jaguars before an injury cut short his time with the team.

Looking at the Jaguars’ quarterback situation, the organization has a clear focal point at the top: Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has continued to develop as a leader and quarterback, helping Jackson­ville push for sustained success. The team finished the 2025 season strong, securing an AFC South title and compiling a 13-4 record. If Lawrence maintains his upward trajectory, the Jaguars could remain competitive for an extended period.

Behind Lawrence, the depth chart becomes more uncertain. To bolster the group entering the 2026 season, Jacksonville acquired Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins, aiming to add competition and depth at the backup quarterback spot. In addition to Ewers, the Jaguars currently have two quarterbacks on their practice squad: veteran Nick Mullens, who brings NFL experience, and undrafted rookie Joey Aguilar, who finished his college career at Tennessee in 2025.

The team’s quarterback depth may hinge on Lawrence’s health. While the starter has proven capable, the Jaguars recognize that deeper, proven competition behind him could be valuable for the organization as they push toward continued postseason contention. Bradley’s departure narrows a roster already evaluating options to ensure they have sufficient quarterback depth for a demanding NFL schedule.

As the offseason progresses, Jacksonville’s focus will likely be on refining depth behind Lawrence, evaluating the potential of Ewers as a long-term option, and determining how Mullens and Aguilar fit within the roster and practice squad structure. The Jaguars will need to balance immediate backup readiness with a longer-term plan to maintain consistency at the most important position on the field.

In summary, Carter Bradley’s release marks another step in the Jaguars’ ongoing assessment of quarterback talent and depth. While his NFL journey continues, the team remains focused on optimizing its roster around Trevor Lawrence and ensuring a capable backup pipeline as they prepare for the demanding grind of the upcoming season.