The Jacksonville Jaguars have brought back Tyson Alualu, re-signing the defensive lineman before free agency begins Tuesday, the team announced Sunday.
Terms were not announced, but Alualu received a two-year contract, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The deal is for $6 million, with $4.25 million fully guaranteed, a league source told ESPN's Adam Caplan.
Alualu, 27, was the Jaguars' first-round draft pick in 2010 (10th overall) and started every game from 2010 to 2013. He was drafted as a defensive tackle and played there until moving to defensive end before the 2013 season.
Although he never became the player former Jaguars general manager Gene Smith envisioned when he was drafted, Alualu has been a solid, durable player for Jacksonville over the past five seasons.
Alualu lost his starting spot in 2014 when Red Bryant was signed last March but still had a decent season with 30 tackles, five quarterback hurries and two sacks. His numbers the past two seasons -- 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks -- are comparatively lower than what he compiled in his first three seasons (240 tackles and 9.5 sacks), but that is due to the position change. He has 314 tackles, 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his career.
Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said at the team's end-of-season news conference that he wanted to re-sign Alualu.
ESPN.com Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.