Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Trade Rumors: A.J. Bouye Signs Five-Year Deal With Jaguars
Looks like A.J. Bouye is staying in the AFC South division after all. But he's not going to play for the Houston Texans.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing Bouye to a five-year, $67.5-million deal, of which $26 million will be fully guaranteed. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the team will pay Bouye $44 million in the first three years of his contract. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle also said the deal includes a $10-million signing bonus.
"I'm blessed for this opportunity," Bouye told the Houston Chronicle. "I could tell the Jaguars were really following me for my whole career from plays I made years ago against them. A lot of people don't pay attention to that. I could tell they really wanted me. Tom Coughlin has ties to coach O'Leary. The vision they have for me as a player was something I was really excited for," he continued.
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Bouye said it was tough to leave Houston because of the bonds he shared with his former teammates. He also revealed the Texans offered the lowest amount of money, so he knew he wasn't returning. "I enjoyed my time with the Texans and I appreciate all of the opportunities they gave me. It's a business," he said during the interview.
Well, that's a hefty amount of money. Bouye went undrafted and he signed with the Texans as a free agent in 2013. According to reports, the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also interested in signing Bouye before he decided to join the Jaguars.
The Jaguars have really made moves to strengthen their defense this offseason. Aside from Bouye, the team also signed defensive lineman Calais Campbell to a four-year, $60-million deal. Furthermore, safety Barry Church will join the Jaguars after he signed a four-year, $26-million deal.
