Josh Allen, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pass rusher, has stated it a couple dozen, if not hundreds, of times: he wants to stay with the Jaguars. Allen, one of the most anticipated free agents in team history, is already committed to return to Jacksonville in 2024, according to general manager Trent Baalke. The issue is whether Allen will play on the franchise tag or on a new multiyear contract. In any case, Allen’s preference is evident. He intends to stay a Jaguar this year, next year, and every year thereafter.
“Of course, I want to be in Jacksonville. “You know, I have a chance to leave a legacy behind,” Allen told Jamal St. Cyr of WJXT4 in Jacksonville during the Pro Bowl this weekend in Orlando. “And you know, it is something I wanted to do. I wanted to be around the finest defensive player to come out of Jacksonville. And that’s wherever I go, so I had a fantastic opportunity to complete what I started. You know, but at the end of the day, I understand what comes with the commercial side of things. So, you know, let whatever happens happen. But, you know, I would love to come back.”
In 17 games this year, Allen recorded 17.5 sacks, a career-high 33 quarterback hits, a career-high 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Allen also finished No. 5 among all EDGE players in pressures and No. 7 in win-rate. “Haven’t started. Those negotiations will start,” Baalke said last week. “I know Josh wants to be here, I know we want him here. Can we come to a number that works for everybody? That’s the key. I respect that. Like I said last year with Evan’s (Engram) situation, you got to respect these guys that put themselves in this position. They work hard, they deserve to make good money. What that good means to them could be different than what it means to us. We just got to come together, sit down at the table and work things out.”
For the past two years, the Jaguars have utilized the franchise tag to continue discussions. It occurred to Evan Engram last year before he signed a new deal before of training camp, and it will happen to Cam Robinson in 2022 before he signs a new contract around the draft. “I’m not going to commit to anything right now with the franchise tag. But, at the same time, Josh Allen will be a Jaguar next season,” Baalke stated.
