The Jacksonville Jaguars made it official Sunday evening, announcing the signing of rookie phenom Travis Hunter to a historic four-year, $46.65 million fully guaranteed contract. The deal includes a staggering $30.57 million signing bonus paid up front, an unprecedented structure for a non-quarterback who wasn’t selected first overall in the NFL Draft.
Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, becomes the last of the top 10 selections to sign his rookie deal. Only two first-round picks remain unsigned: Cincinnati edge rusher Shemar Stewart (17th overall) and Denver cornerback Jahdae Barron (20th overall).
Hunter’s agents, Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija of Young Money APAA Sports, said their client is the first non-QB not drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus up front, a reflection of his unique status as a two-way standout and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.
The Jaguars aggressively moved up in the draft to land Hunter, trading picks Nos. 5, 36, 126, and a 2026 first-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the second overall pick. Jacksonville’s new regime, led by head coach Liam Coen, views Hunter as a franchise-altering player capable of contributing on both sides of the ball.
“Travis is a generational athlete,” Coen said during minicamp. “We’re going to take full advantage of his skill set, the same way Colorado did.”
During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, the Jaguars had Hunter primarily working as a wide receiver, where he showed immediate chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. However, he also spent time on the defensive side, including dedicating one full practice exclusively to defensive back duties. On the final day of minicamp, Hunter played both offense and defense, a preview of what’s expected in training camp.
“He’s not just a novelty—he’s a legitimate two-way NFL player,” Coen added. “We have a plan, and we’ll be smart with how we use him.”
Hunter’s Heisman-winning season at Colorado under Deion Sanders captivated the nation. He amassed over 1,200 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while also logging four interceptions and multiple pass breakups as a cornerback. His ability to dominate on both ends of the field was compared to legends like Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey, though few have ever attempted the two-way feat at the NFL level.
With this deal, the Jaguars are betting big on Hunter being that rare unicorn who can redefine positional value in today’s NFL.
Training camp begins in late July, and all eyes will be on Duval as the Travis Hunter experiment takes flight in Jacksonville.
