MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins agreed to a three-year contract extension with right tackle Austin Jackson on Thursday.

The deal is worth $36 million, with $20.7 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported.

Jackson, 24, has blossomed in his fourth season with the club.

Jackson was a first-round pick, 18th overall, in 2020. He had struggled at times early in his career at left tackle and left guard.

But Jackson found a home at Tua Tagovailoa's blind spot. He also has received quality coaching from first-year offensive line coach Butch Barry.

Jackson has always had a superior frame and athleticism. He's added strength and polished his technique and gained confidence.

"I like this organization," Jackson said Thursday. "And I like where we're at right now. And I like where the focus is here, right now. I think it kind of aligns with what I want to be still as a football player in this league, and also, you know, further in life. I think everything just kind of lined up."

Schad Winning now imperative, as tough roster decisions loom for Dolphins

Miami had passed on Jackson's fifth-year option, which was reasonable.

And now they are able to extend Jackson to a reasonable extension.

"I don't know about you guys, but were you a finished product at 20 years old?" Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Thursday. "He was yearning to be coached. Who am I to put a ceiling on that?"

McDaniel noted that a key moment for Jackson actually came in 2022, before a season-ending injury. It was veteran left tackle Terron Armstead who told him: "You can be different."

This was an especially important transaction, considering starting center Connor Williams and right guard Robert Hunt are also both pending free agents.

As Jackson been asked to recruit his linemates back?

"Not yet," Jackson said with a smile. "Sure (I will.) I just signed. So, I'm sure that's coming."

Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com or @schadjoe on social media.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Austin Jackson emerges as solid Dolphins starter; rewarded with new deal