After five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, linebacker Josh Allen finally locked up the long-term deal he had been looking for. On April 10, the organization signed the defensive star to a blockbuster five-year, $150 million deal that will see him receive $88 million of that amount guaranteed.
Allen was regarded one of the top defensive players in in 2019 draft class and the Jaguars obviously saw something special in him when they used the seventh overall pick to select the former Kentucky player. Since making his debut, he has gone on to have tremendous success with the organization including guiding the team to the playoffs in 2022 and being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2023.
Per a recent article from Pro Football Talk, Allen opened up about returning to the Jaguars, his new deal and what his plans are for the future.
“Last year was me figuring everything out,” said Allen. “I know everybody talks about, ‘Oh, it was the contract year, he was extra motivated.’ For me it was figuring out life. Nobody gives you a guidebook and says, ‘This is life, this is what you want to do. This is how you handle it.'”
Jaguars' Josh Allen: Last year was me figuring everything out. https://t.co/iIIIDrGgPw
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 11, 2024
The new contract was justified considering Allen’s standout 2023 season. He finished the year with 17.5 sacks, 66 tackles, 33 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles. Only Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt finished with more sacks on the year.
Allen went on to say in an interview via the Jaguars website that his goals include winning Defensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl in the coming years.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished 9-8 last season and with many of their top players set to return, they will be looking to return to the playoffs under the guidance on veterans like Allen and Trevor Lawrence.
