Colorado Buffaloes football legend Travis Hunter may not remain a two-way player on the Jaguars for long

Colorado Buffaloes football legend Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 off the strength of his two-play. Hunter will remain a two-way player with the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing his historic rookie-scale contract, but it may not be for long.

USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff labeled the long-term viability of Hunter playing at receiver and cornerback in the pros “unclear.”

Brinkerhoff mentioned the possibility of Hunter “changing the game,” but again spoke speculatively.

“Hunter is set to star as a receiver on offense and at cornerback on defense in his rookie season, bringing that ability from the college ranks to the professional level. It's unclear if that'll last over time with the step up in competition and physicality, but the former Colorado star will try to succeed in a way that many NFL players haven't,” Brinkerhoff wrote.

“Whether Hunter ultimately changes the game remains to be seen, but plenty of eyes will be watching to see what happens in Jacksonville this season and beyond.”

Complicating Hunter’s situation, and potentially pushing Hunter into a one-way role at some point, is his next payday.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio relayed just how complicated things get after the 2027 season for Hunter if he’s still playing on both sides of the ball.

“When it’s time for the Jaguars to pick up Hunter’s fifth-year option, it will be driven by the position at which he takes the most snaps. Ditto for the franchise tag,” Florio wrote.

“Only in his second contract will Hunter have a chance to get paid for playing both positions. He won’t be eligible for that until after his third regular season ends.

“That’s when it will get interesting. After the 2027 regular season. Hunter, if he’s playing both ways on a full-time basis, will have every right to be paid for both of his jobs.

“The stakes will be high, for both sides. The Jaguars happily gave up their 2026 first-round pick and more to trade up three spots in the first round because they were getting two players in one — as their two-pronged social-media announcement of his signing confirms. At some point, they’ll need to depart from a Collective Bargaining Agreement that doesn’t contemplate paying extra money to a player who plays both ways.”

Hunter is a good problem to have, and one that the Jags deliberately paid a high price for on draft night.

His next contract is also a can that Jacksonville can afford to kick down the road right now.