Malik Jackson, Jaguars agree on terms, money reportedly huge

Malik Jackson is heading to Jacksonville.

By Sean Wagner-McGough

Mar 8, 2016 at 1:10 pm ET • 2 min read

The Jaguars just found a way to spend a good-sized chunk of their $79 million in cap space. Malik Jackson just found his new team.

As CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported, the Jaguars made a strong push to sign the ex-Bronco. And, apparently, a deal should get done before the league year even begins.

Continue to hear the Jags making a very strong push for DEN DL Malik Jackson. Deal could be agreed to well before the start of league year
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2016

La Canfora says the contract will be for five or six years. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal will be worth about $15 million per season. The guaranteed money, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, is huge.

The #Jaguars deal for DL Malik Jackson is 6 years, $90M with $42M guaranteed, source said. So, wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2016

And the Jaguars aren't done.

Jags not close to done after agreeing with Malik Jackson. Still interested in top pass rushers and corners. Very active
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2016

For those wondering how Jackson and the Jaguars can work out a deal before Wednesday, Will Brinson can explain. From his legal tampering period primer:

Let's say Malik Jackson, impending Broncos free agent, has his agent go talk to the Raiders and Jaguars (both of whom have a ton of cap room). Maybe the Jaguars discuss giving him a six-year deal worth $90 million and $35 million guaranteed. He decides that sort of money in a state without personal income tax sounds pretty good! The Jaguars can't announce it, Jackson's agent can't announce and a contract can't be signed. But the two sides can squat on a deal and announce it at 4:01 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon. Hypothetically.

(That prediction worked out well for Brinson).

Jackson, 26, played a significant role in the Broncos' Super Bowl run. In the regular season, he recorded five sacks and 45 combined tackles. In the playoffs, he'll be remembered best for his touchdown off a Cam Newton fumble forced by Von Miller. But, what will get Jackson paid is his versatility, as he can get to the quarterback and hold up in the run game. Pro Football Focus recently ranked him as the third-best free agent available this offseason.

Malik Jackson celebrates his touchdown in Super Bowl 50. (USATSI)

So, Gus Bradley should be smiling. Bradley, who used to coach up the Seahawks defense that featured an incredible defensive line, has won just 25 percent of his games in Jacksonville.

Oh, and by the way, this is what it feels like to have secured a big payday: