Determining Josh Allen’s future with the Jaguars will be one of their main goals this season. Jacksonville’s leading sacker is eligible for a raise as a pending free agent, likely via a long-term contract or a franchise tag.
The Jaguars will not allow Allen to reach the free market, as general manager Trent Baalke recently stated. This means that the team will, at the very least, put the franchise tag on Allen. The cost of doing so would be approximately $22MM (depending on whether he is considered an outside linebacker or defensive end), which is a significant increase from the $10.9MM he received in 2023 from his fifth-year option. However, Allen is willing to negotiate a multi-year contract if it becomes a possibility.
The former first-round pick stated in his second Pro Bowl appearance that he plans to stay in Jacksonville through 2024 and beyond (video link courtesy of Juston W. Lewis of the Florida Times-Union). Though serious negotiations have not yet begun, Allen pointed out that the NFL views free agency as a “business.” In this scenario, the tag might be used to purchase extra time to work out a deal because teams using it are permitted to negotiate a long-term contract until mid-July.
Prior to the season, Allen had already established himself as Jacksonville’s best edge rusher, and his 2023 performance set a number of career highs. With 17.5 sacks, he tied for second place in the league; moreover, he set a personal best with 33 quarterback hits and 46 pressures. Allen is 26 years old, thus his next contract will likely span the majority of his peak, placing a long-term deal in the upper echelon of the edge market.
Travon Walker, who was selected by Jacksonville with the first overall pick in the 2022 draft, had a quiet rookie season but made significant progress this year (10 sacks, 30 QB pressures). Walker’s contract extension with Allen would be a nice development for the Jags defense, even though he will probably stay for another three seasons. Jacksonville will aim to improve its pass rush this offseason anyway, since the squad recorded 40 sacks (ranked 25th in the NFL).
In terms of cap space, the Jaguars are currently in the middle of the pack, but as teams get ready for free agency, a lot of financial decisions will be made in the upcoming weeks. Although wide receiver Calvin Ridley is another player in need of a new contract from Jacksonville, Baalke’s position implies Allen will be given precedence. As the new league season draws near, conversations between the latter and the front office will be an important plot point to watch.
