In an announcement that seemingly came out of left field, Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl linebacker Telvin Smith noted on Thursday that he plans to sit out the entire 2019 season.
Despite being the subject of trade rumors and sitting out the early portion of Jacksonville’s offseason activities, this has nothing to do with that.
Instead, Smith notes that his decision to sit out the season is personal in nature.
One of the best off-ball linebackers in the game, the 28-year-old Smith has recorded 100-plus tackles in each of his first five seasons. That same span has seen the former mid-round pick tally nine interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Smith signed a four-year, $45 million extension back in 2017.