Yahoo Sports Jaguars' Myles Jack hoping to create contract leverage with play in 2019
In his three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Myles Jack has never missed a game, playing in all 48 and starting in 42 of those games. He’s hoping that his durability and physical play translate at the negotiating table come the end of the 2019-20 season.
This season, Jack, a second-round pick, is set to make $1.3 million. It’s the final season of his four-year rookie deal that he signed in 2016. With Telvin Smith sitting out the 2019 season, Jack is hoping to take on some of the linebacker’s workload and, in turn, boost his value.
“Obviously in my position, Telvin (Smith) is gone, so that’s 120 tackles unaccounted for, and I want at least 50 of those so I can get 150 tackles to create some leverage for myself,” Jack told the Florida Times-Union.
But unlike his teammates Yannick Ngakoue and Jalen Ramsey, don’t expect Jack to sit out or take to social media.
With his new role, Jack says he can’t miss the necessary training.
“My job is to play Mike (linebacker),” Jack said. “I have to know way too much to miss this. I’ve got to run the defense.”
Nonetheless, he understands where his fellow teammates are coming from and knows the importance of their tactics.
“Nobody works harder than Yan [Ngakoue] and he would rather have everything taken care of, but at the same time, this game is violent and we don’t know how long we’re going to play, and we try to get as much as we can like anybody in any business,” Jack added.
Last season, Jack finished with 107 total tackles and 2.5 sacks, an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. Across his three seasons, he has 219 total tackles and five sacks.
Another strong season should put Jack in the driver’s seat when it comes to contract negotiations. Whether that’s with the Jaguars or another team, the soon-to-be 24-year-old will command more than what he’s making now.
Still, Jack says he isn’t focused on those talks just yet, but, instead, helping the Jaguars win games.
“When my time comes up, that’s when it’s going to come up. But right now, I’m just focused on going out there winning games, getting numbers and then by the end of the season that all will take care of itself.”
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