The Jacksonville Jaguars are releasing defensive lineman Malik Jackson, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.

This move does not come as a surprise, as speculation has gone on since Jackson was benched during the second half of this past season that he was on his way out of Jacksonville.

Jackson finished with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 10 starts in 2018.

The 29-year-old originally joined the Jaguars in March 2016 when he signed a massive six-year, $90 million contract with the team.

During his first season with the Jaguars, Jackson was solid, totaling 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and four passes defended. Then, the following year, Jackson was terrific, racking up 40 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

Jackson, who played his collegiate football at the University of Tennessee, was initially selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (137th pick overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

He played in 14 games in a reserve role during his rookie campaign, logging five tackles.

Then, in 2013, Jackson's role grew significantly, as he tallied 50 stops, six sacks, and a forced fumble. However, it wasn't until 2015 that Jackson became a full-time starter, and that season, he recorded 46 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a couple of fumble recoveries and seven passes defended in helping the Broncos win a Super Bowl title.

He went on to sign with the Jaguars that ensuing offseason.

Jacksonville is coming off of a very disappointing 2018 campaign in which it won just five games, one year after making it to the AFC Championship Game.