After leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars unexpectedly, then coming back just as unexpectedly, offensive tackle Branden Albert has officially been released.
The #Jaguars have officially released LT Branden Albert. Saga is over
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2017
This was the inevitable conclusion once Albert came back to the club, which had already moved on without him in the first place. Owed $8.9 million for the 2017 season if he did stay on the roster, Albert will now get nothing due to the fact all his guaranteed money had been paid out.
The Jaguars will also get back the seventh-round pick they used in exchange for the trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Albert earlier this season.
Albert had previously considered holding out for a new deal before eventually showing up for minicamp this past spring. In any case, it sure looks like money was the only big reason he was interested in playing, and the Jaguars opted not to pay a man whose passion for the game was called into question.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Albert was initially expected to compete for the starting left tackle position. Now he’s a free agent who might find work hard to come by.