Breaking: A vital defensive player for the Jaguars is now the fourth-highest paid inside linebacker in the world.

Jaguars make a key defensive player the fourth-highest paid inside linebacker

The Jacksonville Jaguars have retained another key component to their defense, signing linebacker Foye Oluokun to a three-year extension. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it’s a four-year, $45 million deal with $22.5 million guaranteed at signing.

The deal makes Oluokun the fourth-highest paid inside linebacker in the league behind Baltimore’s Roquan Smith, San Francisco’s Fred Warner, and Chicago’s Tremaine Edmunds. Oluokun has a slight edge over Patrick Queen, who recently signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oluokun’s second season with the Jaguars was a success; he had 173 total tackles, 10 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and an interception. His 173 tackles ranked fourth in the league, behind only Bobby Wagner (183), Zaire Franklin (179), and Alex Singleton (177).

Becoming the fourth highest-paid inside linebacker in the league is a major change from where Oluokun started. The former Yale standout was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

After four productive seasons with the Falcons, Oluokun was brought in by the Jaguars in 2022. He got off to a fast start in Jacksonville, leading the league with 184 tackles during his first year with the black and teal.