QB Cleo Lemon Signs 3-Year $8.1 Million Incentive-Laden Deal With Jaguars

Career backup quarterback Cleo Lemon has agreed to a 3-year, $8.1 million contract to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com reports that the deal includes a $2.95 million signing bonus, and up to $4 million in incentives. This means that the realistic value of the deal is probably about $4.1-$5 million over the 3 year term, as Cleo Lemon probably isn't going to be reaching many incentive thresholds.

Lemon started his career as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State, and spent part of 2002 on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He then spent 2003 to 2005 as a 3rd string backup on the San Diego Chargers, before leaving for the sunnier pastures of the Miami Dolphins in hope of finding more playing time. Aside from a decent preseason performance in 2006, Lemon has not really done anything to demonstrate he is a NFL caliber quarterback, but he will be expected to backup quarterback David Garrard in Jacksonville the next 3 years.