Jaguars sign LB Telvin Smith to four-year extension
Telvin Smith is emerging as a centerpiece in the Jaguars budding defense
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith is receiving a four-year contract extension that will run through the 2021 season. Smith was in the final year of his rookie contract with Jacksonville, which pays him approximately $1.8 million.
John Oehser of Jaguars.com first reported the deal Wednesday evening, while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed the deal is worth $44 million.
Smith’s new deal would make him the 11th-highest paid outside linebacker in the NFL, pushing him past Sean Lee, Bruce Irvin and Pernell McPhee.
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Jacksonville drafted Smith in the fifth-round back in 2014 out of Florida State and his production flashed immediately. Smith started nine games as a rookie and on a team filled with questions, he was a lone consistency.
Appearing in 53 out of a possible 64 games in his career, Smith has recorded 315 tackles with six interceptions and six-and-a-half sacks. He now projects to be their starting WILL linebacker alongside Myles Jack and Paul Pozluzney for Jacksonville.
With a defense now coming to form around the front-seven in Jacksonville, the focus will turn to the offense. Head coach Doug Marrone and the front office, now run by Tom Coughlin, must make a decision regarding whether Blake Bortles is the quarterback of the future.
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Wide receiver must also be addressed with star Allen Robinson entering free agency and recovering from an ACL injury early in the year. While Leonard Fournette leads the rushing game help must be provided at the receiver position for Bortles, or whoever takes over at quarterback going forward.