National Football League

Contract shows Jags' commitment to injured Dante Fowler Jr.

Published May. 12, 2015 1:16 p.m. ET

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Mike Garafolo

The Jacksonville Jaguars showed on Tuesday they have plenty of faith in Dante Fowler Jr.'s ability to return from his ACL injury and return to top form.

Four days after the pass rusher’s rookie season ended a half-hour into his first practice, the team signed the No. 3 overall pick to a four-year deal that will pay him $23.5 million fully guaranteed with a signing bonus of $15.3 million, a source with knowledge of the terms told FOX Sports. Those are the maximum numbers for his draft slotting.

In addition, the Jaguars did not include offset language on the guaranteed money. What that means is Fowler, if he's released before the end of the contract, could add any money from his next team to the money Jacksonville would owe him. Those terms have been one of the few sticking points between agents and teams under the new collective bargaining agreement that pretty much slots the overall contract numbers.

Clubs have been more adamant about including offset language in contracts over the past few years — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers included it in No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston's deal — but the Jags are confident they won't have to worry about it with Fowler.

"The Jaguars had discussions with me and my business partner Eugene (Parker) before the injury occurred, and they never wavered in their commitment to Dante," Fowler's agent Ben Dogra told FOX Sports. "They honored the contract and their promise and gave us a structure that's the same as their franchise quarterback (Blake Bortles, the No. 3 overall pick last year). It's a true testament to ownership, led by Shad Khan, the front office, led by (general manager) Dave Caldwell) and the coaching staff.

"They showed a full commitment to Dante. It's refreshing, and they deserve credit as one of the best organizations and places to play in the NFL."

"His attitude and spirit that he has shown recently are part of the reasons we selected him third overall. He understands the process ahead of him and is willing to do the work," Caldwell said in quotes distributed by the team. "He has a bright future ahead of him with the Jaguars, and we look forward to him getting back on the field in 2016 and for many years to come.”

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