The Jaguars Need to Extend the Star Piece of the Defensive Unit
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a busy offseason ahead of them on the defensive side of the ball. Their star linebacker, Devin Lloyd, is set to hit free agency and is expected to have big offers around the NFL. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has received requests for head coaching interviews around the league and has even attended in-person interviews. General manager James Gladstone will look to keep the core of his staff and team entering the 2026 season. Besides making sure the staff does not leave for other opportunities, the best approach to take is to extend the contracts of the core players in order to guarantee similar success in the years to come. One player sticks out above the rest, however, with that being the former first overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive end Travon Walker.
In 2025, Walker only played 14 games, getting three and a half sacks, two pass deflections, and 38 tackles. Although this was considered a down year for Walker, it nonetheless proves his importance to the defensive line. The line is dominant in Jacksonville when Walker is healthy, as shown by his back-to-back 10+ sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. While the team doesn’t have to be in a rush to extend Travon Walker, as he still has the fifth-year option for 2026. However, extending Walker early can show that his presence means something to the front office and that they are dedicated to his success in the long term.
Extending Walker now can also keep the overall price down. If the veteran has a comeback season in 2026 and records another 10+ sack season, it could cause an inflation to his stock in free agency the following season. Jacksonville can beat the rush and lock him down early, and the move could save the Jaguars millions in the future. The Jaguars can continue to pair him with the other stars on the defensive line, such as Josh Hines-Allen, and still have one of the best run-stopping defenses in the NFL. The question will have to be answered by the front office, but the answer is simple. Extend Travon Walker now and save the money later. If it fails, they can always trade him away.
