Josh Allen’s significance to the Jaguars defense and squad was made abundantly evident by the franchise quarterback.
There are many fans of Josh Allen in the Jacksonville Jaguars locker room, but Trevor Lawrence, the team’s quarterback, may be the most significant.
For obvious reasons, Lawrence’s voice matters in the Jaguars organization. Lawrence also raised his voice this week in favor of Allen, who is playing on his fifth-year option with the team in 2023 and is looking to sign a new contract.
“He is going to be there. I acquired faith. He will be present,” Lawrence stated on Tuesday’s episode of Up & Adams.
“He’s a fantastic athlete. He is essential to us. He’s been a rock for our defense, and I know that he will continue to improve in the upcoming season. So hopefully he’s back. I believe he will.
“I want to be in Jacksonville, of course. According to Jamal St. Cyr of WJXT4 in Jacksonville, Allen stated this weekend in Orlando during the Pro Bowl, “You know, I have a chance to leave a legacy behind.”
You know, that’s what I intended to accomplish. The best defensive player to come out of Jacksonville was the player I wanted to be alongside. And that’s the case wherever I go, giving me a fantastic opportunity to complete the task I began. You understand, but in the end, I am aware of the commercial side of things. Thus, whatever transpires, transpires. However, I would really like to return.”
Allen had a career-high 33 quarterback hits, a career-high 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, an interception, and 17.5 sacks in 17 games this season. Additionally, Allen ranked No. 5 in pressures and No. 7 in win-rate among all EDGE players.
“I haven’t begun. Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jaguars, stated last week that those talks will begin.
Josh is someone we want here, and I know he wants to be here. Is there a number we can agree upon that suits everyone? That’s the crucial element. I value that. You have to have respect for these folks who put themselves in such a scenario, as I stated with regards to Evan’s (Engram) predicament last year. They put in a lot of labor and should be well compensated. They may have different ideas about what that good implies than we do. All we need to do is get together, have a conversation, and sort things out.
The Jaguars have employed the franchise tag as a means of pursuing talks for the past two seasons. It happened to Cam Robinson in 2022 prior to signing a new contract around the draft, and it happened to Evan Engram the previous year before he signed a new contract ahead of training camp.
“At this time, I won’t make any commitments regarding the franchise tag. Josh Allen, nevertheless, will play for the Jaguars the following season, Baalke added.
