Tight end Julius Thomas has signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars for five years worth $46 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, he is guaranteed $24 million. The Jaguars made it official on Wednesday morning.
Julius Thomas ‘fired up’ to join the Jaguars
Thomas is leaving the Broncos to join Jacksonville.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas spoke to the media Wednesday morning, telling fans that he was “fired up” to be part of the Jaguars.
“From meeting [Coach Bradley] minutes ago, I’m fired up ... I was ready to get some cleats and a helmet,” he said. Thomas added that he was working with quarterback Blake Bortles in California starting on Monday.
"One day they’ll be saying about me ‘Peyton made you’ or ‘Blake made you’." — @Julius_Thomas on #JaguarsToday
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) March 11, 2015 Thomas, who played his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, notched 24 touchdowns over the past two years, the most of any tight end in that span.
Jacksonville desperately needs more weapons for second-year quarterback Blake Bortles. Thomas will provide Bortles with a security blanket when protection breaks down, something that happened often in 2014, resulting in a league-high 71 sacks. Thomas is also a dynamic threat near the goal line, which will help the Jags’ 31st-ranked red zone offense produce. One drawback of Thomas is his lack of blocking ability, something that makes the offense’s intentions more predictable.
Entering free agency with more than $68 million in cap space, Jacksonville had the ability to bid high for Thomas. There were earlier reports that other teams were making runs at Thomas, including the Seattle Seahawks, but that Jacksonville was willing to overpay if it meant landing one of the premier tight ends in the NFL.
Thomas was a monster in 2013, catching 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a pivotal cog in the Broncos' Super Bowl run, but fell off in production last year. In only 13 games, Thomas hauled in 43 passes for 489 yards, though he still found the end zone a dozen times.
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