"Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has been released from the Jaguars.

The Jaguars did not ask Garrard to take a pay cut, nor did they try to trade their former starting quarterback.

Instead this afternoon, after Garrard and the rest of the Jaguars returned from the team's kickoff luncheon, Garrard was just informed the Jaguars were releasing him.

"We made a decision to release David Garrard. As always we play the best players and as I've said before I think it's imperative that we have the courage to do what's best for the football team," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "This decision was pure football. Gene and I met at length over the last several weeks about the position, about this player. There was never any pressure from Wayne, Mr. Weaver in any way."

Del Rio said he and Smith felt Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown gave the team its best chance to win."