One of the top priorities for the Jaguars this season will be deciding on Josh Allen‘s future with the team. As a pending free agent, Jacksonville’s sack leader is in line for a raise on either a franchise tag or a long-term agreement.
General manager Trent Baalke recently made it clear the Jaguars will not let Allen reach the open market, meaning that, at a minimum, the team will use the franchise tag on him. Doing so would cost roughly $22M (although the matter of classifying him as a defensive end or an outside linebacker would likely come into play), a steep rise from the $10.9M he earned in 2023 on his fifth-year option. If a multi-year pact becomes an option, though, Allen will be open to working out an agreement.
During his second career Pro Bowl appearance, the former first-rounder confirmed his desire to remain in Jacksonville in 2024 and beyond, via Juston W. Lewis of the Florida Times-Union. Serious talks have not yet taken place, though, and Allen noted the “business” aspect of the NFL when it comes to free agency. Teams which use the tag are allowed to negotiate a long-term contract until mid-July, so it could be used in this case as a means of buying more time to hammer out a deal.
Allen had already established himself as Jacksonville’s top edge rusher entering the season, and his 2023 performance produced career highs in a number of categories. His 17.5 sacks put him in a tie for second in the league, and he recorded a personal best with 46 pressures and 33 quarterback hits. At 26, Allen’s next deal will cover most or all of his prime, and a long-term deal will likely rank near the top of the edge market as a result.
Jacksonville used the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft on Travon Walker, and he took a notable step forward (10 sacks, 30 QB pressures) this year after a quiet rookie campaign. While Walker will likely be in place for another three seasons, maintaining his partnership with Allen for years to come would be a welcomed development for the Jags’ defense. Improvement in the pass rush department will be a target for Jacksonville this offseason after the team tallied 40 sacks (25th in the NFL).
The Jaguars currently sit mid-pack in terms of cap space, but plenty of financial moves will be made in the coming weeks as teams prepare for free agency. Jacksonville also has wideout Calvin Ridley among the players in need of a new contract, but Baalke’s stance suggests Allen will be a higher priority. Talks between the latter and the front office will be a key storyline to follow as the new league year approaches.
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