Jacksonville isn't letting Walker Little hit free agency.
The Jaguars agreed to terms with their new starting left tackle on a three-year, $45 million contract just three months before the start of the new league year, 国产外流网Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, per a source. The new deal includes $26 million guaranteed.
ESPN first reported the news. The team later announced the extension.
"Walker is a homegrown talent who has grown up in our system," Jags general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "Time and time again, Walker stepped in when needed, and stepped up his game at the tackle position. This is a great opportunity for a young player that we see every day on the practice field, who we believe will be playing his best football in the coming years."
Little, 25, was in the final year of his rookie deal. A second-round pick in 2021, Little has started only 21 of 51 games played since entering the NFL. But the 6-foot-7 lineman recently took over manning Trevor Lawrence's blind side full-time after the Jaguars traded veteran Cam Robinson to Minnesota before the deadline. Little has started each of Jacksonville's last four games, allowing just one sack and three QB hits, per Pro Football Focus.
At $15 million per year, Little is now tied for 13th among all left tackles in terms of average annual value. The extension is a big raise for the big blocker, who earned just over $4.5 million on the entirety of his rookie contract.
Little will now enter the 2025 campaign with three seasons worth of security and well-earned compensation.
