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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: Travon Walker #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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he Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off of one of their most memorable seasons in franchise history, and want to keep that team together for as long as possible. Earlier this month, the Jaguars and star defensive end Travon Walker agreed to massive contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2030 season. Despite struggling in 2025, the former No. 1 overall pick has shown plenty of promise with the Jaguars, and now will be a cornerstone piece for the defense.
Now that Walker got the extension out of the way, his full focus is back to football, where his goal for 2026 is simple– take his game to the next level. Paid among the league’s elite, earning over $27 million per season, Walker is ready to prove that his contract was deserved.
‘Time to Play Ball Now’
Recording 27.5 sacks through his first four seasons, Walker was always confident a deal would get done, but was more concerned about his value and what the team was willing to pay him. But now that he got what he wants, he is hungry to put all of his focus back on football and help the Jaguars replicate their 2025 success.
“I know it was going to happen regardless of however much or whatever, just having it out of the way, the money part, all of the talks about the money, it’s just time to go play ball now,” Walker said. “I don’t have to think about any of that. Like I said, it’s just time to go play ball now.”
Walker, who took some time to adjust to new head coach Liam Coen’s scheme, met with Coen after the season to discuss goals for the future– with Coen mentioning his time as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator where he coached future Hall of Famer, Aaron Donald. Wanting to separate himself from the rest, Walker is ready to give off Aaron Donald-type vibes and bring that same tenacity to the Jaguars’ defense.
“Obviously, he’s seen Donald. He coached — he was on the team with Aaron Donald,” Walker said. “It just kind of help put things in perspective for me to be able to just click into a different type of mindset from how I was going throughout the year, and I feel like it really dawned on me that it’s just time to ramp things up, take it to the next level.”
Can Walker Return to Form?
After recording 3.5 sacks as a rookie, Walker found a rhythm over his next two seasons, recording 10 sacks in his second year before his 10.5 sack campaign in ’24. And while he had a down year last season, Walker is confident that having a season under his belt in Coen’s scheme will help him return to greatness.