JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Walker Little has finally secured a starting position with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a shift that arose from the decision to bench and subsequently trade Cam Robinson. However, Little’s role may only be temporary.
On Tuesday, the Jaguars (2-6) traded Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings, providing the Vikings with a replacement for their injured star, Christian Darrisaw. This transaction opens the door for Little to take over as a starter for the remainder of the season as the team evaluates his performance over the next nine games, beginning with the matchup against Philadelphia (5-2) on Sunday.
Little, a second-round draft choice from Stanford in 2021, finds himself in the final year of his rookie contract. “It’s obviously tough losing Cam,” Little reflected on Wednesday. “He was a great player, a great leader, and taught me a lot during my four years here. But this is part of the business. I’m excited for the opportunity ahead, even if I have some big shoes to fill.”
Since being drafted with the 45th overall pick, Little has appeared in 48 games and started in 18 of them. His stint in Jacksonville has often fallen below expectations. The Jaguars have shuffled him around various positions, from left tackle to right tackle, and even to guard, in their efforts to find the right fit for him. Yet, he hasn’t consistently broke into the starting lineup, except when stepping in for injured players.
Little has started 14 games at left tackle and four at left guard during his time with the team. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson expressed confidence in Little’s capabilities, stating, “I feel great about him. He’s been versatile, playing in multiple positions for us, and we are optimistic about moving forward with him.”
Robinson marks the second veteran player traded by the Jaguars this month, following defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris’s trade to Seattle. After clearing the league’s concussion protocols last week, Robinson was benched in favor of Little and appeared to be disconnected from teammates and coaches during their 30-27 loss to Green Bay, leading to his quick departure two days later.
This move now allows Little the chance to showcase his skills and possibly establish himself as a noteworthy free agent by March, whether with the Jaguars or another team. “This is a great opportunity for me to play consistently and face top-level talent,” said Little. “I feel grateful for the chance to demonstrate what I can do.”
Pederson acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with players like Robertson-Harris and Robinson during the season. “It’s always hard to let players go, and I’ve been in that position before. You come to appreciate what these players contribute, regardless of whether they were drafted here or not. It’s never easy,” he noted.