Former Gamecock stars Javon Kinlaw and Ernest Jones have landed significant NFL contracts. Kinlaw signed a $45 million deal with the Washington Commanders, while Jones secured a $33 million contract re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks.
Former South Carolina Gamecock stars Javon Kinlaw and Ernest Jones have each secured significant contracts in the NFL, marking important milestones in their professional careers.
Javon Kinlaw Joins the Washington Commanders
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Washington Commanders, as reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. This deal places Kinlaw among the top 20 highest-paid players in terms of total value and annual salary.
After spending four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Kinlaw will make the move to Washington following a season with the New York Jets, who allowed him to enter free agency. His most productive seasons to date were in 2023 and 2024, where he totaled eight sacks.
Kinlaw will be reuniting with another former Gamecock, Deebo Samuel, who he played alongside during the 2017 and 2018 seasons at South Carolina, and later with the 49ers. Samuel was traded to Washington earlier this month.
Ernest Jones Re-Signs with the Seattle Seahawks
Linebacker Ernest Jones has re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $33 million contract, which includes $15 million in guaranteed money. Jones played a key role in the Seahawks’ defense after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. His performance helped the team finish strong, winning six of their last eight games in 2024. Jones registered nearly 100 tackles in just 10 games last season.
Both Javon Kinlaw and Ernest Jones have strong ties to South Carolina football, where they were standout players for the Gamecocks before making their mark in the NFL. Their recent contracts reflect their continued success and growth in the professional league.
