Jacksonville Jaguars Shake Up Roster: Release Darnell Savage, Add Kahlef Hailassie
Jaguars Move On From Savage
The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced two recent roster moves, releasing veteran safety Darnell Savage while signing safety Kahlef Hailassie. The changes highlight both financial implications and a renewed focus on developing younger talent in the secondary.
Savage, a former first-round pick who signed with Jacksonville last offseason, appeared in two games this season before being let go. His release will cost the Jaguars financially in the short term, creating over $10 million in dead money between now and 2026. That includes $7.5 million this season and another $3 million spread into 2026. However, the move also provides valuable long-term cap relief. Jacksonville will gain more than $10 million in savings combined during 2026 and 2027, with $7.75 million freed up in 2026 and another $2.5 million in 2027.
The decision also serves as another reminder of the tremendous roster errors made by former general manager Trent Baalke. His missteps in free agency and the draft left the Jaguars burdened with bloated contracts and inconsistent play. New GM James Gladstone has worked steadily to remove those mistakes while reshaping the roster in his vision. Moving on from Savage is another clear example of Gladstone putting his stamp on the team.
Hailassie Joins the Secondary
The Jaguars moving on from Savage created an open roster spot. Jacksonville has added Kahlef Hailassie, a versatile 6’1, 194-pound defensive back with room to grow. Hailassie entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky. Kahlef spent two seasons, 2018 and 2019, at Oregon before transferring to Western Kentucky. He sat out all of 2020 during Covid before making his debut at WKU in 2021. His final year would see him named second-team All-Conference USA in 2022.
Since entering the NFL, Hailassie has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota Vikings. He has appeared in 10 career games, including one start with the Browns in 2023. His career production includes eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection. In coverage, he has allowed five receptions on nine targets for 99 yards allowed.
Impact Moving Forward
The addition of Hailassie provides the Jaguars with another developmental piece alongside established starters Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis, as well as rookie standout Travis Hunter. With Savage gone, the newcomer could quickly carve out a role on special teams.
More importantly, the move is another signal of the organizational reset underway in Jacksonville. Gladstone’s willingness to cut ties with costly and unproductive contracts reflects a shift in priorities, with the new GM focused on building a roster that can grow together and sustain success rather than patching holes with short-term fixes.
Main Photo: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK
