After becoming the fifth overall pick of the Jaguars in 2012 but before signing his rookie contract, Justin Blackmon was arrested for DUI.
The timing was not good, because it gave the Jaguars extensive leverage in their contract talks with Blackmon, who had a DUI at Oklahoma State, too. The Jags parlayed that leverage into a contract that deferred 40 percent of his signing bonus into future roster bonuses. As of right now, roughly $4 million has not been paid.
Blackmon’s future guarantees will void based on a standard provision in all guaranteed rookie contracts that wipes out the guarantees in the event of a suspension. This means that the Jags can now pull the plug on Blackmon’s deal and owe him nothing more, even though top five players otherwise get fully guaranteed contracts for four seasons.
Throw in a new G.M. who may have had no desire to pick Blackmon in the first place, and Blackmon could be gone. If the Jaguars are willing to accept the fact that Blackmon will have received roughly $8.5 million for one year, they can move on by asking Blackmon to move out.