Whether or not that scenario plays out, the Jacksonville Jaguars just made a pretty cool bet on rookie sensation Travis Hunter. His unparalleled ability as a two-way player affords him to jackpot financially over the course of his career. Hunter’s rookie deal is for $46,649,104 over four seasons. A big reason why is that fifth-year option is solely based on making it through his third season in the league in terms of performance. This new structure of the contract presents some exciting opportunities for Hunter. He showcased skills at both positions during his time at Colorado, but he recently won the Heisman Trophy.
Hunter’s fifth-year option eligibility depends on where he spends the majority of his time on the field in his third year. Certainly, his performance in that position will prove critical. The Jaguars have designs to use him on offense and defense. This classification would have a significant impact on his future earning capacity. The fifth-year option for first-round picks in 2022 set the market for the best cornerbacks at $20.187 million. The highest paid wide receivers made a whopping $23.959 million. Because Hunter’s classification is final, that determination could lead to a significant pay disparity.
Jaguars’ Strategy for Utilizing Travis Hunter
For his part, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke can’t wait to use Hunter’s versatility. The way they’re gonna try and use him is as much in wide receiver school as cornerback school. This dual role not only enhances the team’s tactical options but poses intriguing implications for Hunter’s contract. One franchise that the Commanders believe they’ll find inspiration from is their new AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. In 2020, the Ravens used the franchise tag on edge rusher Matthew Judon, a blueprint for how the Jaguars might handle Hunter’s singular situation.
In Hunter’s case, he’s primarily concentrated on learning the Jaguars offense during this very abbreviated offseason. Combined with that serious commitment, it would appear he’s bound to begin his pro career as a wideout. The team’s commitment to maximizing his potential on both sides of the ball creates an intriguing dynamic regarding his contract’s fifth-year option and potential incentive structure.
“They could do what the Ravens did with Judon.” – one cap expert who works for an agency
The Jaguars could get inventive with a scenario-specific combination of incentives focused on maximally leveraging Hunter’s unique skill set. For instance, they might establish bonus structures that create incentives for him to reach key milestones. He could possibly make another $1 million if he has 8 receiving TDs and 8 pick season. Such a programmatic arrangement would be a first and points to Hunter’s unique talents.
Fifth-Year Option and CBA Implications
Hunter’s fifth-year option is governed by Article 7, Section 7 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which states that a player’s status is determined by their primary position based on playing time during their third league year. Further, Article 13, Section 6 of the CBA lays out how fifth year options and tag money work.
Finally, Hunter has a very manageable set of incentives he can earn depending on how well he plays at three different spots. That begs the question of how the league drafts contracts like that. The CBA places strict regulations on how players can be incentivized based on their role as starters or bench players.
“What’s interesting is you can’t usually tie an offensive category to a defensive player and vice versa, without it being LTBE.” – one of our team cap experts
Hunter’s unique dual-position capability makes him a little more flexible when it comes to writing an incentive-laden contract. The CBA does offer important restrictions on the way bonuses can be set up. That way, bonuses tied to team success are required to consider each player’s contribution in both capacities. This evaluation is about their work on the past seasons.
“Any player whose primary position is on offense cannot have an incentive bonus that depends on team performance on defense (or special teams), unless such player played in 15% or more of the Club’s defensive (or special teams) in the prior season.” – CBA source
Even with these limitations, the Jaguars seem intent on leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Hunter can earn as much money as possible.
Future Financial Outlook for Travis Hunter
Looking forward, Hunter’s potential future earnings are likely to change drastically. All of these changes will mostly hinge on how he is classified after his third year in the league. Right now, he’s only signed for four years, with a fifth possible. After he becomes extension-eligible in 2027, he could agree to even richer contracts. His incredible college success coupled with the unique way in which he plays the game creates an exciting recipe for big time money-making potential.
Hunter’s rookie contract is signed, sealed and delivered. This creates an opportunity for him to use his incredible talent and capitalize on reward-centered salary-based clauses available in upcoming contracts. The Jaguars have been proven innovators in contract structuring and Hunter would be another opportunity for them to lead the way.
“But in [Hunter’s] case, I guess you can argue he plays both.” – one of our team cap experts
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