The NFL world is poking fun at the Jacksonville Jaguars after the AFC South club released their starting defense tackle hours after wishing him a happy birthday. On Monday, the official Jaguars Twitter account posted a heartwarming happy birthday to interior defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi, only for NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler to report the team would release him to save salary cap. Naturally, NFL fans flooded social media to make light of the situation, although the news certainly puts a damper on Fatukasi’s birthday celebrations.
NFL Fans Feel For Foley Fatukasi Amid Being Released on His Birthday
Last offseason, the Packers took heat from the NFL world when they cut linebacker Jonathan Garvin hours after wishing him a happy 24th birthday. Now, it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars getting crushed by the NFL faithful for doing the same thing to six-year NFL vet Foley Fatukasi. Some fans destroyed the Jaguars for the untimely release, while others took a more heartfelt approach, wishing Fatukasi the best.
When fatukasi told Trent balke it was his birthday… https://t.co/7VMSoJUnZF pic.twitter.com/yosblVpp0G
— Purdy (@PURDYpurrd) March 4, 2024
6’4”, 318 pounds. It’s his birthday today, turning 29.
Foley Fatukasi is a versatile defensive tackle who does things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
With the expiring contracts on the #Bills defensive line, Fatukasi could be a potential addition for Brandon Beane.… https://t.co/Kq8ek44B93
— Ajay Cybulski (@AjayCybulski) March 4, 2024
Former #UConn DL Foley Fatukasi received a happy birthday tweet from the Jaguars. A couple of hours later come reports that he is being released. That is a pretty unique birthday present.
— Jim Fuller (@Jim_Fuller1) March 4, 2024
Admin rn pic.twitter.com/9pZWt0X1hR
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) March 4, 2024
You guys had to have known when you posted this
— Anthony Russo (@Anthony_Russo97) March 4, 2024
Nah no way yall posted this knowing he was getting cut 2 hours later 😭🤣
— Jordan (@jordan_s6996) March 4, 2024
Released on his birthday. That’s cold Baalke. Ice in his veins. https://t.co/L9jdxoesHj pic.twitter.com/oEFexfp6FF
— Shaun (@ShaunMoore_) March 4, 2024
https://t.co/KhpaNqqnSP pic.twitter.com/0aeKsAuFEX
— DELFONIK (@djDELFONIK) March 4, 2024
Jacksonville Jaguars: Saving Cap Space
The Jacksonville Jaguars will save $3.5 million in cap space this year by releasing defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi. However, they will also post $9.3 in dead cap money. Fatukasi signed a three-year $30 million deal with Jacksonville before the 2022 season. Fatukasi will not play in the final year of the agreement.
Foley Fatukasi played 16 games with the Jaguars last season, posting 24 tackles, three TFLs, and two QB hits. He also had 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2022, his first year with the Jags. The former sixth-round pick started his career with the New York Jets in 2018, where he spent four seasons. His best season came in 2020 when he collected a career-best two sacks and six TFLs.
Jaguars: Needing Defensive Improvement
The Jaguars allowed 21.8 points per game last season, the 17th-best average in the NFL. They struggled against the pass, allowing 4,076 yards and 27 touchdowns against 16 picks. Opposing rushers also played well against Jacksonville, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt.The team fired the entirety of their defensive staff after the 2023 season. The Jaguars hired Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as his replacement. Nielsen has worked in the NFL since 2017.
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