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Jacksonville Jaguars having 'open conversations' on Travon Walker contract extension
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- Jacksonville Jaguars having 'open conversations' on Travon Walker contract extension
PALM BEACH — The Jacksonville Jaguars can begin contract negotiations with defensive lineman Travon Walker , and head coach Liam Coen said the team has already had discussions surrounding the former first-overall pick.
Speaking with media members Monday morning at the annual NFL Owners Meetings in South Florida , Coen was asked about the fourth-year player, his contract and the new staff's early impressions.
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"We're having open conversations, and at the end of the day, we'll continue to have those," Coen explained. " [Jaguars general manager] James [Gladstone] and [executive vice president of football operations] Tony [Boselli] and I will have those conversations as we go, for sure."
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Walker has been a mainstay on Jacksonville's roster since 2022 , starting nearly every game he's played in, including all 34 games over the last two seasons when he became the first Jaguars player since Calais Campbell to post double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons.
Coen said he's already had several "hour-long" conversations with Walker.
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"I feel a guy that wants to be great, that wants to continue to take the next step and dominate. I can feel that from him. Sounds like a guy who wants to work, does things the right way. I'm excited about working with him. He's really been pleasant to talk to," Coen said.
In his career, Walker has accounted for 162 total tackles (82 solos), 28 tackles for loss, 44 quarterback hits, 24 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble recovery touchdown.
His productivity every week has elevated Jacksonville's defensive line , particularly against the run. Last year, Walker finished 14th behind Green Bay's Rashan Gary with 22 "stops," according to Pro Football Focus. "Stops" are defined as tackles that constitute a "failure" for the offense, according to the football analytics website.
Walker has improved as a pass rusher, too. After totaling just 3.5 sacks in his rookie season, Walker has accounted for 22.5 sacks over the last two years combined.
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Last season, Walker's production grew beyond just sacks with ample pressures on the quarterback, finishing the year with 60, according to NextGenStats, tied with Detroit Lions DL Zadarius Smith. For reference, Pittsburgh Steelers DL/OLB T.J. Watt accounted for 49 pressures last year.
Bengals DL Trey Hendrickson recorded the most in the league with 92.
What could Travon Walker 's contract extension look like?
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive end Travon Walker (44) pray before a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars have already made a big-money decision on their defensive line after the franchise handed Josh Hines-Allen a five-year, $150 million contract last offseason. Hines-Allen was coming off the best season of his career, totalling 17.5 sacks in 2023.
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While Walker has not had that much production in a single season, his contract will likely reflect the top of the market, as with most contract extensions for big-time players.
Currently, Hines-Allen ranks fifth in the league at $28.250 million per year on average. Walker's base salary will likely start at that price point, and could move up as more edge rushers agree to extensions.
When is the fifth-year option deadline? Will the Jaguars pick up Travon Walker's option?
All 32 teams have until May 1 to decide whether or not to pick up fifth-year options for first-round picks taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Last year, the Jaguars picked up both quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne 's fifth-year options. The team quickly agreed to an extension with Lawrence, but Etienne is slated to play out the final year of his deal at $6,143,000.
Walker's fifth-year option should be an easy decision for the franchise, but that decision has not been made yet. If the team picks up his option, Walker will play the 2026 season on a fully guaranteed $14,751,000 base salary, based on playing time according to projections via OverTheCap.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Will Jacksonville Jaguars, Travon Walker have long contract extension?
