A week after head coach Liam Coen said the Jacksonville Jaguars were having “open conversations” about potentially extending defensive lineman Travon Walker’s contract, the team announced a step in that direction.
The Jaguars have picked up Walker’s fifth-year option, the team announced Monday, projected to be a fully guaranteed $14,751,000 for the 2026 season based on playing time. Picking up the option also guarantees any portion of Walker’s fourth-season base salary and locks him with the team over the next two seasons.
Walker is set to make $1,100,000 in base salary this season.
PAY DAY SOON? Jacksonville Jaguars having ‘open conversations’ on Travon Walker contract extension
Walker was originally drafted by the Jaguars with the first-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has started for the franchise the last three seasons and quickly became one of the team’s defensive cornerstones.
Travon Walker gets fifth-year option picked up, Coen excited to work with him
Walker became the first Jaguars player since DL Calais Campbell to total back-to-back double-digit sack seasons. Walker totaled 10.5 sacks last season after tallying a previous career-high 10 sacks in 2023.
In three years, Walker has accounted for 162 total tackles (82 solos), 44 quarterback hits, 24 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, five pass breakups, one interception and a touchdown. He’s played in 49 games, starting 48, including all 34 over the last two seasons.
Coen spoke about how he feels about Walker last week, noting that he’s someone who “wants to be great.”
“I’ve had some good conversations with Tray. We’ve had a number of hour-long conversations where, man, I feel a guy that wants to go be great, that wants to continue to take the next step and dominate. I can feel that from him,” Coen said. “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.”
Walker is eligible for a contract extension after playing out the first three years of his rookie deal. The team could get ahead of any expected inflation of his value by signing him to an extension ahead of his fourth season.
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd is also eligible to have his fifth-year option picked up as he was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after the team traded up to acquire him, but the team has yet to announce that move.
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: Jacksonville Jaguars pick up Travon Walker’s fifth-year option ahead of offseason workouts
Reporting by Demetrius Harvey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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