After almost four months of negotiations between the New York Jets and 2016 20th overall pick Darron Lee, the two sides have finally struck a deal.
After a long standoff between the New York Jets and their 2016 first-round pick, Darron Lee, the two sides finally reached a deal.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 21-year-old finally agreed to terms on a deal, rounding out this years draft class. Lee will receive $10.2 million over a span of four years, in addition to a signing bonus of a little over $5.5 million, according to OverTheCap.com. Like most contracts for first-round picks, Lee’s deal will also include a fifth-year team option for the 2019 season.
The reason this deal wasn’t completed earlier was due to complications over whether his fourth year would be guaranteed at $1.8 million. Details on whether the Jets gave in to Lee’s demands haven’t surfaced yet, so that should be something interesting to keep an eye out for.
Lee was selected with the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft. This pick came as a surprise to many fans considering how good the Jets were defensively in 2015.
The linebacker is certainly no joke, though. The Ohio State product posted 146 tackles, 11 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries over two years with the Buckeyes.
Lee’s signing leaves Joey Bosa (Chargers) and Joshua Garnett (49ers) as the only two unsigned first-round picks.