National Football League

Jaguars release veteran Mincey after DE late for another meeting

Published Dec. 13, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey on Friday after he was late for another meeting.

Mincey was inactive for two games and fined last month after showing up late.

Coach Gus Bradley gave Mincey a chance to get his priorities straight, but Mincey failed to do so, so the coach and general manager Dave Caldwell decided to let him go.

"Just felt like it was time to move forward," Bradley said. "It wasn't one particular thing that caused the reaction. I think it was just a combination of things."

Mincey thanked the franchise for "giving me the opportunity."

"You will always have a place in my heart," he posted on his Twitter page. "Love, peace and you will be missed."

After sitting out two games and vowing to do things right, Mincey returned to the rotation against Houston last week and played 36 snaps.

It was his 64th game since joining the Jaguars in 2006. He started 41 of them.

Mincey met with Bradley and Caldwell before cleaning out his locker Friday.

"It was tough on him, and it was tough on me, too, because we've had many conversations," Bradley said. "But we did talk for quite a while. ... We felt like it was best for him and the organization."

Mincey signed a four-year, $20 million contract in 2012, with $9 million guaranteed. He earned nearly $11 million in the first two years of the deal. His base salary would have doubled to $4 million in 2014, so it was unlikely Mincey would have stuck around anyway.

Without Mincey, young defensive ends Andre Branch and Ryan Davis will get more opportunities.