The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed starting left tackle Walker Little to a three-year, $45 million contract that includes $26 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN.
The deal, announced without terms hours before Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, ties Little to Jacksonville through the 2027 season.
Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke was heavily involved in the negotiations, trying to solidify Jacksonville’s future. Questions and speculation have been raised for weeks about the future of Baalke and coach Doug Pederson. In addition to preparing for Sunday’s game, Baalke is also making long-term decisions that will impact the future of the franchise.
An executive at another team said Little’s deal is a sign that Baalke plans to stay with the Jaguars, despite all the uncertainty that has surrounded the team.
Little’s new contract marks the latest long-term commitment from the Jaguars, who delivered multiple lucrative deals last offseason. Jacksonville handed out big extensions to quarterback Trevor Lawrence (5 years, $275 million), defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (5 years, $141.25 million) and cornerback Tyson Campbell (4 years, $76.5 million). The Jaguars also made major free agent signings, adding wide receiver Gabe Davis (3 years, $39 million) and defensive lineman Arik Armstead (3 years, $43.5 million).
Owner Shad Khan declared at the start of training camp that it was “the best team the Jacksonville Jaguars have ever put together.”
Now, with a 2-9 record and after suffering the worst loss in franchise history in its last game in Detroit, the organization continues to make moves with an eye on its future.
Little, 25, was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft and is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Jaguars. He became Jacksonville’s starting left tackle in October when Cam Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Little has appeared in 51 games, including 21 starts, during his three-plus seasons with the Jaguars.
