Jaguars restructure Foley Fatukasi's contract to free up nearly $6 million in cap space

The Jaguars continue to work with their salary cap as the new league year enters its second week.

According to a report from ESPN's Field Yates, the Jaguars are creating $5.9 million in 2023 cap space by restructuring defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi's contract. That includes converting $7.375 million of his base salary into a signing bonus with three void years added in.

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Last offseason, Fatukasi signed a three-year deal worth $40 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money. He was set to count $12,745,098 against the cap, according to OverTheCap.com.

Now, he will count significantly less for 2023 with his cap number rising in 2024 as a result of the move. Fatukasi's cap hit in 2024 is now $12,808,334 instead of $11,333,334. The Jaguars currently have $10,302,027 in cap space.

Last season, Fatukasi played as one of the front-line players on the team's defensive line, starting 13 games, while playing in 14. Fatukasi accounted for 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss as the team's nose tackle through much of the season.

For Jacksonville, clearing more cap space will enable them to not only sign outside free agents, such as the three they are slated to sign shortly but also to sign their draft class when the time comes in May.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars restructure DL Foley Fatukasi's contract, free up cap space