JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ Jalen Ramsey is a vital foundational piece of the Jaguars' defense and a two-time All-Pro selection, but he acknowledged Tuesday he won't be receiving a contract extension from the franchise this year.
Ramsey, who reported to the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday after missing the entire voluntary offseason program, became eligible to sign a extension the day after the Jaguars finished the 2018 season.
"I let my agent talked to them and they've had dialogue of course," Ramsey said. "But as far as I know, I've been let known that I won't be getting a contract extension. Take it however you may want to take that. But as long as I'm part of this organization, as long as I'm a part of Duval County, I'm going to give the city, the players all I got. I think you know that. I've fought through injuries and I haven't missed a game yet."
Ramsey compared his contract situation to defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, a hold out from the three-day mandatory minicamp because the Jaguars have not offered him a contract extension.
"I feel like I have outplayed my rookie contract and I feel that I've earned a new contract, but at the end of the day it's not the end of the world," Ramsey said. "Me personally, I think Yan has earned a contract. I think he deserves it."
Shortly after Ramsey met with the media following Tuesday's workout, he took to Instagram and issued a jokingly blunt message to the Jaguars: "Imma ask for so much, they have to put me on lay-away."
In April, the Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option on Ramsey's rookie contract for 2020. Ramsey, the fifth overall pick in 2016, will have a base salary increase to $13.7 million in 2020 that will rank him among the NFL's 10 highest paid cornerbacks. Ramsey's base salary this year is $3.63 million.
Ramsey's four-year rookie contract is valued at $23.35 million and included a $15.63 million signing bonus.
He was selected as a Pro Bowl starter at cornerback for the second consecutive year after having three interceptions, 13 passes defensed with 65 tackles in 2018. Ramsey has nine interceptions and 44 career pass defensed in three seasons with the Jaguars.
"At the end of the day, he deserves the money and he's looking out for himself at the same time," cornerback A.J. Bouye said. "I told him the same thing that he deserves to get paid and I know he wants it sooner than later. He's one of the top corners in the game and it's kind of surprising."
With the Jaguars currently having about $9.1 million in salary cap space, per the NFLPA, they wouldn't have enough available money to sign both Ramsey and Ngakoue to extensions this year. If the Jaguars cannot get an extension deal done with Ngakoue, the Jaguars still have the option of placing the franchise tag on Ngakoue for the 2020 season. The earliest the Jaguars could possibly franchise tag Ramsey is 2021.
"The money is always there," Ramsey said. "Like I said, but that's all I say about it. I'm happy to be here."
Clearly, the contract uncertainty of both Ramsey and Ngakoue is already becoming a distraction. Coach Doug Marrone couldn't say for sure if Ngakoue will report to next month's training camp.
"My philosophy has always been from the beginning that I do not get involved in contracts," Marrone said. "I do not get involved in negotiations. I do not get involved in contracts. I don't do anything of that nature. For me, I think it puts me in a poor position, so I can't answer any questions you may have that are all for (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Coach (Tom) Coughlin and (general manager) Dave (Caldwell). I hope you guys understand that I can't answer any questions that I don't have any knowledge of."
Neither Coughlin nor Caldwell were available for comment Tuesday.
Ramsey plans to remain supportive of his teammates, particularly linebacker Telvin Smith, who announced in May that he's going to skip the 2019 season for personal reasons.
However, Ramsey has no plans to assume a bigger defensive leadership role or participate in the team's voluntary offseason program after skipping it for the past two years to remain home in Tennessee to work out.
"I think that's the best plan for me," Ramsey said. "I know my body very well. I know the team around me. I've been working real hard. Of course, the plus is being able to spend time with my family back in Nashville. I feel like once you get to Year 4, people expect you to put yourself in a leadership role. It's not something you can force. I want to continue being myself and being even more supportive of my teammates as I can be and leading from behind scenes."
