Shortly after word of a deal between the Jaguars and defensive end Malik Jackson broke on Tuesday, Jackson took to Twitter to share a message.
“What a time to be alive,” Jackson wrote.
For an unrestricted free agent defensive end coming off a strong year for the Super Bowl champs, indeed it is. Mike Klis of KUSA and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media have both reported the early numbers of the deal that Jackson has agreed to and it’s a big one.
Jackson is signing a six-year deal worth $85.5 million with another $4.5 million available in playing time incentives at the back end of the contract. Of that total payout, $45 million comes in the first three years and $42 million is guaranteed with Klis reporting that the guarantees cover both skill and injury.
That $15 million a year average pushes Jackson to the top tier of defensive linemen in the NFL in terms of compensation. If he plays like a member of that tier as well, the Jaguars will have taken a big step toward their first winning record since 2007.