Is Travis Hunter a large receiver or a cornerback? In just a few years, his contract will inform us.
Since making presumably the largest splash of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been working unicorn athlete Travis Hunter as largely a large receiver, after the previous Heisman trophy winner famously performed each receiver and cornerback at Colorado.
The Jags do nonetheless plan to play Hunter on each side of the soccer, which is one thing ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano analyzed relating to future contract particulars for Hunter.
At present, Hunter is making over $46.6 million on his rookie four-year cope with a fifth-year choice. That wage is predicated on him being a considerably “common” soccer participant, which everybody is aware of he isn’t.
So, Graziano dug into the nitty gritty of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Settlement to see how Hunter’s two-way play will influence the Jaguars’ entrance workplace when his rookie deal runs up.
For starters, Hunter will profit financially by enjoying each side of the ball via the performance-based pay scale. Final season, NFL groups got a bit of over $14 million to dish out for gamers primarily based on a predetermined scale. The dimensions is set…
“by (i) including the participant’s whole performs on offense or protection, as applicable, plus particular groups and (ii) dividing that quantity by the full performs of the participant on the staff’s roster with essentially the most mixed performs on offense, protection and particular groups for that Membership.”
Graziano neatly factors out that the language above makes use of “offense OR protection.” Since nobody has actually had a participant like Hunter that’s anticipated to play big-time snaps on each side of the ball, there has by no means been a necessity to debate the size utilizing “and” language, till now.
Hunter will reap the rewards of enjoying each side, and any particular groups if relevant, and can possible be compensated very nicely upon the shut of his rookie yr with a PBP payout primarily based on his snap rely. Graziano predicts that with the rising PBP pool mixed with Hunter’s contract numbers, he might be in line for a payout of round $400,000 subsequent yr. A drop within the bucket for certain, however greater than sufficient to maintain fuel in Hunter’s fishing boat for the offseason.
The subsequent step the Jags must work out with Hunter is a possible fifth-year choice in the event that they don’t negotiate a brand new contract beforehand. That choice have to be picked up upon the shut of a participant’s third yr, so in Might of 2028 for Hunter. That is additionally to not point out any potential franchise tag shenanigans the Jags may get in with Hunter.
If Hunter had been to have his fifth-year choice picked up final season, he would have stood to make over $3 million extra if he had been paid like a large receiver, at nearly $24 million.
The CBA does have language for this and Hunter might be optioned or tagged primarily based on what place he performs essentially the most snaps in, which at this level appears to be at receiver. Assuming vast receivers proceed to receives a commission like they do, Hunter will profit once more from the CBA as he’ll nearly actually get the upper of the 2 offers primarily based on the vast receiver market.
The ultimate individualized step for Hunter to maximise his earnings is with wording in any potential new contract primarily based on incentives.
The CBA does have very robust wording on this…
“Any participant whose major place is on offense can’t have an incentive bonus that will depend on staff efficiency on protection (or particular groups), except such participant performed in 15% or extra of the Membership’s defensive (or particular groups) within the prior season (professional score participation within the occasion of video games missed as a result of harm). Any participant whose major place is on protection can’t have an incentive bonus that will depend on staff efficiency on offense (or particular groups), except such participant performed in 15% or extra of the Membership’s offensive (or particular groups) performs within the prior season (professional score participation within the occasion of video games missed as a result of harm).”
Primarily, the world is Hunter’s (and his agent’s) oyster as to how he can phrase potential bonuses. Graziano mentioned Hunter may lump offensive and defensive bonuses into one or they may attempt to hold issues extra individualized. The Jags must comply with this after all, but it surely doesn’t seem to be this entrance workplace would shrink back from shelling out an additional million or two if Hunter can produce at excessive ranges each methods.
There actually isn’t any blueprint in any respect for this. The Jags and their rookie celebrity are in as uncharted waters as ever. Possibly Hunter primarily simply performs offense and nobody ever has to fret. Possibly he’ll grow to be the best two-way athlete to ever exist.
One factor is for certain: Travis Hunter will receives a commission, a method or one other.