The Jaguars have plenty of cash and cap space, and they plan to use it on some of their great young players. That process officially has begun.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Jaguars have extended the contract of receiver Allen Hurns by four years. Despite having only two years of NFL experience, Hurns was eligible for a new deal because he was undrafted. (Drafted players are eligible for new contracts after three seasons.)
The source says the deal has a base value of $40 million in the four new years. With escalators, the contract can be worth up to $11 million per year. The total guarantee is $20 million; it’s not yet known how much if fully guaranteed at signing.
Hurns, who played collegiately at Miami (Fla.), caught 64 passes for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015. Combined with receiver Allen Robinson and quarterback Blake Bortles, both of whom are eligible for new deals after the 2016 season, the team’s passing game is in great shape, for years to come.
Although Hurns was under contract through 2016, the Jaguars could have applied a restricted free agency tender to him in 2017. He then would have been eligible for the franchise tag in 2018.