Jermey

Parnell

Parnell was entering the final year of his contract, and this clears $6 million in cap space for the Jaguars. The soon-to-be 33-year-old (in July) was Pro Football Focus’ No. 51 tackle out of 80 qualifiers last season. He should find another gig but won’t be guaranteed a starting job wherever he lands.

Parnell had another injury prone year in 2018, missing three games to a knee issue. He wasn’t effective when healthy, grading outside PFF’s top-50 tackles. The Jaguars can save $6 million from releasing Parnell — money they can use to help sign a quarterback. Parnell may be limited to one-year deals if he hits the free-agent market.

He was already ruled out for Week 16. Parnell’s missed six games to injuries the last two seasons and has struggled to stay above replacement level when healthy. Signed though 2019, Jacksonvile can save $6 million if they move on from Parnell this offseason.

The Jaguars will start Josh Wells at right tackle, leaving Ereck Flowers on the blindside. With only three games left, Parnell may be shut down for the season.

The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus. An undrafted free agent in 2009, Parnell bounced around practice squads before finally appearing in his first six career games for the Cowboys last season. He’ll have an inside track on a roster spot, and should compete to be the Cowboys’ third tackle in training camp.

“I think he is getting better,” Jones said. “I think his arrow so to speak is going up. I feel good about where he is.” Parnell started one game last season at right tackle, but he and Free rotated snaps for the final five weeks. It might not be a given that the Cowboys sign a veteran free agent like RT Eric Winston if Free ends up getting the ax, especially if they continue to wait for Free to budge.

It’s what the Cowboys did down the stretch last season, and it will likely continue through training camp. OC Bill Callahan believes Free hasn’t let his pay-cut become a distraction. “I’m really proud of the way Doug has handled everything that has transpired in the offseason,” Callahan said. “He’s been very positive.” Free should have a slight edge over Parnell, who failed to run with the job when given the opportunity in 2012.

Smith is in a race to get back earlier than expected. If he can’t go, developmental prospect Jermey Parnell will draw the start at right tackle. Parnell is highly athletic as a former college basketball player at Ole Miss, but lacks ideal weight and experience. It’s perhaps worth noting that Bryan Broaddus of ESPN Dallas predicted Saturday that Smith would start.

It’s a new low for Free, who was handed a four-year, $32 million contract prior to the 2011 season. He started and then gave way to Parnell, a former undrafted free agent. The two rotated from there. Free has graded out as one of the league’s worst tackles over the last two seasons and tacked on another penalty to his league-leading total Sunday.

The injury is not considered serious, and Parnell is expected to continue participating in individual drills throughout OTAs. He should be 100 percent by training camp. After inking a five-year, $32 million deal last offseason, Parnell excelled as a run blocker but struggled as a pass protector in his first year with Jacksonville. He was PFF’s No. 36 tackle out of 76 qualifiers.