Jacksonville Jaguars Finalize Landmark Travis Hunter Contract
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially secured the future of one of the NFL’s most electrifying prospects, announcing Sunday evening the signing of wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter to his rookie contract. The four-year deal represents a significant financial commitment from the Jaguars, locking in the versatile star selected with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The contract is valued at a fully guaranteed $46.65 million over four years. A remarkable highlight of the agreement is the $30.57 million signing bonus, which is being paid entirely upfront. This structure is particularly noteworthy; according to Hunter’s agents, Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija of Young Money APAA Sports, it marks Hunter as the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall in NFL history to receive their entire signing bonus upfront.
His signing makes Hunter the final player from the top 10 picks of the 2025 draft class to officially sign their rookie deal. As of his signing, only two other first-round selections remained without contracts: Cincinnati edge rusher Shemar Stewart (17th overall) and Denver cornerback Jahdae Barron (20th overall).
A Major Investment in Talent
The Jaguars made a bold move to secure Hunter on draft night, trading four draft picks – including their 2025 No. 5 overall selection, a 2025 fourth-rounder (No. 126), a 2025 fifth-rounder (No. 36 via trade), and a future first-round selection in 2026 – to the Cleveland Browns to move up just three spots to the No. 2 pick. This aggressive maneuver signaled the team’s conviction in Hunter’s unique abilities and potential impact.
This substantial investment in a high-end draft prospect stands out amidst the team’s broader 2025 offseason strategy. While the NFL saw a significant salary cap increase to $279.2 million per team, fostering a busy free agency period across the league with numerous key player movements and large contracts changing hands, the Jaguars were noted in analyses of the free agency period for generally “shopping in the middle tier” rather than aggressively pursuing top-market free agents. Their focus in free agency was reported to be on addressing specific needs like the interior offensive line through more value-conscious signings. The decision to allocate significant draft capital and a top-of-market rookie contract to Hunter underscores that their premium roster-building efforts were anchored by this pivotal draft selection.
Unlocking Dual-Threat Potential
Jacksonville intends to utilize Hunter’s rare skillset by playing him on both offense (as a receiver) and defense (as a defensive back), a strategy successfully employed by Colorado during his college career where he became a national sensation and won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
During the team’s offseason organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, Hunter primarily worked with the offense. However, he dedicated at least one full practice session to defensive drills. On the final day of the three-day minicamp, Hunter participated in practice on both sides of the ball, a preview of the plan head coach Liam Coen confirmed will continue throughout training camp. This dual-threat approach aims to maximize Hunter’s impact and justify the significant resources the Jaguars invested to bring him to Jacksonville.
