The Jacksonville Jaguars made a decision that stunned many fans watching the 2022 NFL Draft when Trent Baalke chose to use the No. 1 overall pick on Travon Walker instead of projected top pick Aidan Hutchinson. The Michigan star stayed in his home state and was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 pick.
Jacksonville's decision to bet on Walker's traits instead of Hutchinson's production may look like a failure due to Hutchinson emerging as the superior player, but Walker has also emerged as one of the key cogs in this Jaguars defense. However, it just got much harder to keep him in town long-term.
Hutchinson signed a four-year contract worth $45 million per season. While Walker isn't getting that type of money, his price keeps going up as the market for pass rushers continues to inflate.
Jaguars might need to pay Travon Walker a ton after the Aidan Hutchinson contract
Travon Walker, who has missed some time due to injuries this season, has recorded double-digit sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons while showing some solid run defense skills. On a Jaguars team that is lacking an adequate pass-rush rotation, the former Georgia Bulldog has become more important than ever before.
Even with Jacksonville managing to get its quarterback situation solved with the Trevor Lawrence extension, they will need to allocate money to names like linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, and (possibly) the recently traded Greg Newsome II. With pass rusher contracts going through the roof, it's becoming abundantly clear that Walker is going to hurt James Gladstone's wallet.
Now, Walker is not going to get a contract in the $40 million range (nor should he) after this season. But is it an unrealistic expectation to imagine a world in which he asks for $30 million per year? With fellow defensive end Josh Hines-Allen declining and no first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jacksonville may be forced to pay up.
While Travon Walker has played largely well enough to avoid the dreaded "bust" tag attached to him in the wake of Aidan Hutchinson's success, the fact that No. 97's contract will lead to Walker eventually getting a deal of his own will only put more pressure on the still roaring fire of his stock as a player.