Brandon Linder, Jaguars Reportedly Agree to 5-Year, $51.7M Contract Extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly signed Brandon Linder to a five-year, $51.7 million extension Tuesday to make him the highest-paid center in NFL history, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

The 2017 season was scheduled to be a contract year for Linder, who inked a four-year, $2.8 million contract with the Jaguars after he was selected in the third round of the 2014 draft. 

Linder has yet to be recognized for his efforts with a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection, but he ranked among the league's top centers last year. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Linder finished the 2016 campaign with an overall grade of 87.6, which graded out fifth among all centers. His run-blocking mark of 84.0 also ranked tops among Jaguars linemen and ranked fifth among players at his position. 

Explored further, PFF noted Linder "allowed 13 total QB pressures all season, pass blocking on 611 occasions."

Now inked to a five-year extension, Linder can assume his place as a core piece of the Jaguars line into the next decade. 

In 2017, the former Miami Hurricane will attempt to elevate a revised unit that now includes left tackle Branden Albert as they seek to open up holes for rookie running back Leonard Fournette and buy time for quarterback Blake Bortles in an attempt to snap the Jaguars' nine-year postseason drought.