Seven of the squad had new deals put on the table, but Jason de Vos has since signed for Ipswich while Andy Liddell is expected to join Sheffield United next month.
The prospects of the remaining five agreeing to stay, though, looks more promising.
Matt Jackson, Mike Flynn, Paul Mitchell, Gary Walsh and James Salisbury are all mulling over one-year contracts.
And while there have been no official agreements yet, manager Jewell has spoken to them all and taken encouragment from what they have had to say.
He told the Evening Post: "Mitch and Flynny are going to accept, I think Jacko is, and Walshy will.
"Hopefully we can them all sorted out and continue our planning for next season.
"If we manage to keep them and bring in three or four more players, we should have a strong squad."
There's not a major hurry for the quintet signed up, with their current contracts still having all of June to run.
But planning for 2004/05 will be easier if agreements, at least verbally, are in place.
Of the five, Jackson saw most first-team action last term, playing the opening four months of the season before losing his srarting place through suspension.
He later got back in only to tear his Achilles tendon at the end of March, an injury which brought his season to a premature end.
There has been interest in him from other clubs.
But the centre-half is settled in the area and will stay at the JJB Stadium as long as he is challenging for a first team starting spot.
The other four were on the fringes last season, although Jewell sees them as an important part of his plans.
Mitchell and Flynn made one start each and a handful of appearances from the bench.
Both played regularly for the reserves who won the Pontins Holiday League West title.
Walsh was back-up to John Filan, making three starts – two of them in the Carling Cup.
And young keeper Salisbury forced his way up the pecking order during the campaign, taken on after being released by Burnley.
He'll be pushing Walsh for the job as Filan's main deputy next term and is highly regarded by Jewell and his staff.
Jewell is due back from holiday this week and will continue his squad strengthening efforts.
He hopes to land Torquay striker David Graham, Latics having planned to increase their £200,000 offer.
And with de Vos gone, he is on the look out for a centre-half – Crewe's David Wright is a rumoured target.
Source: Wigan Evening Post.
The prospects of the remaining five agreeing to stay, though, looks more promising.
Matt Jackson, Mike Flynn, Paul Mitchell, Gary Walsh and James Salisbury are all mulling over one-year contracts.
And while there have been no official agreements yet, manager Jewell has spoken to them all and taken encouragment from what they have had to say.
He told the Evening Post: "Mitch and Flynny are going to accept, I think Jacko is, and Walshy will.
"Hopefully we can them all sorted out and continue our planning for next season.
"If we manage to keep them and bring in three or four more players, we should have a strong squad."
There's not a major hurry for the quintet signed up, with their current contracts still having all of June to run.
But planning for 2004/05 will be easier if agreements, at least verbally, are in place.
Of the five, Jackson saw most first-team action last term, playing the opening four months of the season before losing his srarting place through suspension.
He later got back in only to tear his Achilles tendon at the end of March, an injury which brought his season to a premature end.
There has been interest in him from other clubs.
But the centre-half is settled in the area and will stay at the JJB Stadium as long as he is challenging for a first team starting spot.
The other four were on the fringes last season, although Jewell sees them as an important part of his plans.
Mitchell and Flynn made one start each and a handful of appearances from the bench.
Both played regularly for the reserves who won the Pontins Holiday League West title.
Walsh was back-up to John Filan, making three starts – two of them in the Carling Cup.
And young keeper Salisbury forced his way up the pecking order during the campaign, taken on after being released by Burnley.
He'll be pushing Walsh for the job as Filan's main deputy next term and is highly regarded by Jewell and his staff.
Jewell is due back from holiday this week and will continue his squad strengthening efforts.
He hopes to land Torquay striker David Graham, Latics having planned to increase their £200,000 offer.
And with de Vos gone, he is on the look out for a centre-half – Crewe's David Wright is a rumoured target.