Sources: Dante Fowler Jr. signs 4-year, $23.5 million deal with Jags
— -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie Dante Fowler Jr., less than a week after the No. 3 overall pick in last month's NFL draft tore his ACL on the first day of rookie minicamp.
Fowler will receive $23.5 million fully guaranteed over the four-year deal, sources confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He will receive a $15.3 million signing bonus.
"My focus right now is solely on getting better each and every day and attacking my rehab with the same mindset as a pass rusher," Fowler said in a statement. "I have only been around the organization for less than a week and it's been amazing to see the support of my teammates, coaches and staff members. I'm going to use my time this year to get stronger, faster and be ready to help my teammates on the field in 2016. This is a great learning environment and I plan on picking up as much information as possible through meetings and watching my teammates throughout the year."
Less than an hour into the first session of the Jaguars' two-day rookie minicamp last Friday, the former Florida star tore his ACL during 11-on-11 drills while rushing the quarterback. An MRI that night confirmed the torn left ACL, and the team has said he will miss the entire 2015 season.
Before the minicamp, Fowler and the Jaguars signed a waiver that stated that the team would still enter good-faith negotiations in the event that Fowler were injured.
"We are excited to get Dante under contract," Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said. "Negotiations with Dante's representatives were ongoing prior to his injury last weekend and nothing has changed. 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. 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."
Fowler had 14½ sacks in three years while with the Gators, including 8½ last season, and was the best player on a solid defense.
The Jaguars were counting on him to be a centerpiece of their defense and a starter from day one. He was the first defensive player taken in the draft.
Information from ESPN.com Jaguars reporter Mike DiRocco was used in this report.
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