Due to their ineffective pass rush last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars decision to release defensive end Reggie Hayward on Wednesday came as a bit of a surprise to NFL observers.

Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union reports that Hayward wasn't surprised.

"You have to make space for new arrivals," Hayward said on Thursday. "It wasn't a surprise. You want to be a part of it, but you understand the ins and outs of the business. I left on good terms with [general manager] Gene [Smith] and [coach] Jack [Del Rio] and the whole organization."

With NFL training camps fast approaching--Dallas Cowboys veterans report on July 24, for example--Hayward is in no rush to make his next move, which may be retirement.

"I want to relax and take it easy," Hayward said. "There's no rush. I'll evaluate what I want to do. A couple of teams have shown interest, but nothing really serious. I'll take it day by day. I could probably fill a void somewhere, but if I want to pack it in and call it quits, I don't think anybody would blame me because of all the setbacks I've had. I may have some football left. I'm straddling the fence."

Hayward posted 174 tackles and 39.5 quarterback sacks during his 9-year career in the NFL. Injuries limited Hayward to just 92 games, appearing in double-digit contests in five of his nine seasons, and missing all but one game in the 2006 (Achilles) and 2009 (broken leg) seasons with injuries.

Hayward, who participated in the NFL's Broadcast Bootcamp last month, may pursue a broadcasting career.

"I do love talking about football," he said. "It comes natural for me."