It is official. Travis Hunter has finally signed his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After lots of roadblocks, the NFL rookie will now join quarterback Trevor Lawrence with guaranteed money in his pocket.
According to Adam Schefter, from ESPN, the contract is a four-year, $46.65 million fully guaranteed deal. Hunter will receive $30.57 million as a signing bonus, paid entirely upfront. This sets a new record, making Hunter the first non-QB not drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus upfront.
The deal took longer than it normally does for first-round picks. In fact, Hunter was the only rookie selected in the top 10 to not sign his contract, but the saga is done now. In the end, Hunter got what the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) determined he should get. This because Hunter will play as both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL.
Trevor Lawrence has a good WR corp to throw to
Now that Hunter is officially a Jaguar, quarterback Trevor Lawrence has no excuses to not ball this season, at least from a receiver’s perspective. Brian Thomas Jr. will enter his second season and is already a top weapon to have. BTJ posted 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Hunter, who won the Heisman last season at Colorado University, will serve as one extra weapon. As a receiver for the Buffaloes, Hunter had 96 receptions, 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He actually led the Big 12 in both catches and TDs.
As a third, and very reliable option, Lawrence will have Dyami Brown, who’s coming off a career-year at Washington. With new head coach Liam Coen being an offensive mind and designing pass-happy offenses in his career, Lawrence will definitely have all the tools to have a career resurgence.
T-Law has four years in the NFL, but only his sophomore year has been a great one. The other three have been very average, which is not what you want after being one of the most highly-touted prospects coming out of college of all time.
The defense also gets a baller in Hunter
It would be unfair to only highlight what Hunter can do on offense. He was a top-tier defensive back as well. Aside from the Heisman, Hunter also won the Chuck Bednarik award, which is given to the defensive player of the year.
On defense, Hunter had 4 interceptions and 11 passes deflected. He was a lock-down back as well. With the Jaguars having the worst passing defense in the league last season, Hunter will be as important on defense as he will be on offense.