Jackson, Tennessee Josh Allen, a linebacker for the Jaguars, has made it plain that he wishes to remain in Jacksonville over the last few months. Allen wants to stay involved in helping the team that selected him with the seventh overall pick in 2019 transform from a losing squad into a regular contender.
“My style is legacy,” Allen declared. “I have a fantastic opportunity to continue leaving a legacy here, and I will do everything in my power to uphold that.
“I play the game because I love it, that’s all.” Not everyone engages in the game. They make decisions, and once they are made, they cannot be changed. That’s why I let God be God and let things work out. I exerted all of my effort. I completed what I could, and my agent will take care of the rest.
Allen is considered as one of the top looming free agents this offseason following a career season in which he broke the Jaguars’ franchise record for sacks in a single season (17.5). What is the significance of the Jaguars getting him back? Does it matter whether they do it through an extension or franchise tag?
All NFL executives discuss the value of developing through the draft. The Jaguars’ 2017 run to the AFC Championship Game was fueled by their reliance on free agency when building their roster, but this approach isn’t sustainable. The NFL relies on player development and selection to achieve consistent success.
That’s how reputable franchises run. These teams have a core group of players that they developed through the draft, including important players who are in their second or third seasons. Young draft picks such as Trent McDuffie, Isiah Pacheco, and Creed Humphrey have added to Kansas City’s core of Chris Jones, Travis Kelce, and Patrick Mahomes.
The Jaguars, though? They only had four drafted players on their second contract in 2023: punter Logan Cooke, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, offensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, and offensive tackle Cam Robinson.
That speaks volumes about the team’s difficulties in the draft, particularly in the first round from 2008 to 2020. Only quarterback Blake Bortles (2014) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (2010) signed extensions out of the 14 first-round draft selections made during that time. Before their rookie contracts expired or they were not re-signed, the remaining players were either traded, cut, or suspended.
It’s easy to see why the Jaguars have only had three winning seasons and two postseason appearances in that time, given that 12 of those 14 players were selected in the top 10, with six of them selected in the top 5. The following summarises how awful the Jaguars’ draft class has been:
Three players played out their four-year rookie contracts instead of having their fifth-year option picked up: linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (2020), offensive tackle Luke Joeckel (2013), and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (2018).
Before their rookie contracts expired, five players were traded: defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (2015), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (2016), quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2011), offensive tackle Eugene Monroe (2009), and cornerback CJ Henderson (2020). Prior to his second season, Henderson was traded.
The NFL suspended receiver Justin Blackmon (2012) for multiple drug-related infractions.
defensive end Running back Leonard Fournette (2017) was cut during training camp in 2020, and Derrick Harvey (2008) was cut prior to the start of training camp in 2011.
First-round selections, particularly those ranked in the top 10, are meant to serve as a team’s cornerstone players. If they don’t end up being All-Pros or Pro Bowlers, they should at least become excellent players who win games with big plays.
That’s essentially it for Allen’s career. He broke Calais Campbell’s single-season record of 14.5 sacks set in 2017 by finishing second in the NFL in 2023. He also ranks second on the team’s all-time sack list (45). Ten more for Allen to tie Tony Brackens.
In addition, he produced one of the greatest plays in Jaguars history when, in the team’s 20-16 Week 16 victory, he recovered a fumble that safety Rayshawn Jenkins had forced 37 yards for a touchdown 18 wins over the Volunteer State in 2022. The Jaguars won the AFC South division for just the second time in team history as a result.
What is the current situation with Allen and the Jaguars?
Basically, it’s still unclear. The franchise tag window runs from February 20 to March 5 of next week. Trent Baalke, general manager, would not comment on whether he intended to use Allen’s tag, which would pay the edge rusher an estimated $22.8 million fully guaranteed, to buy some time to work out an extension or to use it only in the event that a long-term agreement could not be reached.
“Josh Allen is going to be a Jaguar next year,” is all Baalke would say.
Allen was playing on his fifth-year option last offseason, despite the Jaguars’ best efforts to sign him to an extension. After Allen’s incredible season, the Jaguars could pay a heavy price for this choice.
Defensive end Montez Sweat received a four-year contract extension worth $98 million ($72.9 million guaranteed) from the Chicago Bears in November. The average yearly salary associated with that deal is $24.5 million, placing it fifth among edge rushers. And for Allen and the Jaguars, that may now be the starting point.
In response to a question regarding signing draft picks to second contracts, Baalke stated, “I think every situation is different,” during his season recap news conference. “Does a player deserve to be paid or not, in my opinion? Whether he is a free agent that has signed with us, a draft pick of ours, or a free agent from another team. Do they merit compensation? Because you get to do it a year earlier, you hope to avoid paying a premium for a guy you drafted. The market isn’t able to comment on it yet. You should also pay men fairly.
Among the current Jaguars roster, there are no young, proven players who were drafted and developed. Allen has developed into the top pass-rushers in the NFL. And it’s been a while since a first-round draft pick of the Jaguars made such a strong case for staying in Jacksonville.
Given everything, would it be reckless to not extend Allen’s contract? Would Allen find it offensive to be forced to play on a franchise tag? And would the team be willing to take a chance that Allen might decide not to sign the franchise tag by the July 15 deadline if it really wanted Allen to play on the tag as another prove-it move?
Understandably, Allen didn’t want to discuss any of these queries as Jacksonville prepares for the offseason.
“I don’t really know about timing or what at the end of the day,” he said. “… I want to be a Jag, man. The right way. I’m going to do it the right way. And that’s all I have to say about that.
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