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The Wisconsin Badgers have put quite a few offensive linemen into the NFL over the years. One of them, Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Cole Van Lanen, got a huge extension on Friday, getting a three-year, $51 million deal in his first year as a starter.
Van Lanen has turned into one of the better success stories in the NFL. He started his career as a sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2021 after his time at Wisconsin. But, he was traded in August of 2022 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a seventh-round draft pick.
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The offensive lineman mainly played only on special teams in his second season, and saw two games of offensive action in Year 3 in 2023, coming in as a reserve in injury relief.
In 2024, he ended up starting three games at tackle for the Jaguars, while nearly playing another full game after coming in off the bench. But, he remained a reserve to start the 2025 season, with Walker Little and Anton Harrison being the team’s starting tackles.
He saw his first action in Week 4, stepping in and playing 19 snaps due to injury, but returned to the bench as Harrison was healthy enough to remain a starter the following week. As the year went on, though, Van Lanen turned into a valuable versatile offensive lineman. He ended up starting games at right guard (one), left guard (one), and right tackle (two) before settling in as the team’s starting left tackle the last four games.
He initially replaced starter Walker Little, who was out due to a concussion in Weeks 14 and 15, but remained in the lineup after Little returned to full health. Little has since moved to guard, starting there in place of an injured Patrick Mekari.
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The extension shows Jacksonville’s belief in Van Lanen beyond the 2025 season and their desire to lock up a valuable versatile piece who has become a mainstay in the starting lineup. His deal includes $32.5 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $55.5 million over the three years.
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