Getty The New York Jets battling against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2021 NFL regular season.
It was inevitable, but still sad when it actually came to fruition.
The New York Jets lost defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency shortly after the start of the legal tampering period.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Jacksonville handed him a three-year deal worth over $30 million with 66 percent of that fully guaranteed ($20 million).
#Jaguars giving DT Foley Fatukasi three years, $30 million with $20 million fully guaranteed, per his agents at @SPORTSTARSNYC
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The Bag Was Certainly Secured
Late last week Garafolo said on Good Morning Football on the NFL Network to watch out for Foley being an “eight-figure guy” and he was certainly a man of his word.
Fatukasi landed an unbelievable deal from a team that is clearly willing to spend.
Jaguars are giving former Cardinals WR Christian Kirk a four-year deal worth up to $84 million deal, per source.
The Jaguars threw an unbelievable amount of money at former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk, but they didn’t stop there.
Jacksonville also nearly reset the linebacker market with a stunning $45 million contract featuring over $28 million in guarantees to secure linebacker Foye Oluokun.
The #Jaguars are finalizing a deal with former Washington 5× Pro Bowl G Brandon Scherff, per @AdamSchefter. Doug Pederson is in and building the trenches for Trevor Lawrence. Expect big numbers here.
On top of all of those, the Jaguars sent a large duffel bag full of cash to the Brandon Scherff residence.
If Foley was going to get paid by anyone, glad to see it was a team who was willing to be a little loosey-goosey with their funds.
An NFL career is only so long, you have to get your money while you can get it.
A Good Guy
Fatukasi originally came into the league as the No. 180 overall pick in the sixth round out of UConn.
Most sixth-rounders don’t even make an NFL roster let alone carve out a solid career that leads to a massive payday.
The 6-foot-4, 318-pound defensive lineman was barely used throughout the first two years of his career, then blossomed in 2020.
Over the last two seasons, Fatukasi has quickly become one of the best-run stuffers in the NFL. Although the one missing part of his game is in the pass rush department.
Robert Saleh full on head butting Foley Fatukasi while he’s wearing his helmet after that 4th down stop
Absolutely love this
🎥: @nyjets 1JD
While the Jets would’ve loved to have Fatukasi back, even if he isn’t an ideal scheme fit, there is a silver lining to all of this.
The next defensive tackle that walks through those doors is someone the front office is hoping can create some pressure.
The best way to do that is by penetrating up the middle. Quarterbacks love to step up in the pocket when things go sideways, that isn’t possible if you have someone making life difficult up front.
Gang Green will do their homework in free agency, but this addition may come through the 2022 NFL draft. Remember the Jets still have nine picks including four of those inside the top-38.
The other thing that will help is a second year in the system for a variety of guys and some players getting healthy:
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