|
The Jaguars put the franchise tag on the
26-year-old Allen in March, blocking him from free agency as
head coach Doug Pederson said the two sides were fully committed
to working together on a long-term agreement. Allen has played
only with the Jaguars since he was selected seventh overall out
of Kentucky in 2019.
"It's huge," Allen said. "We talk big about legacies and roots.
Everywhere I went I left an impact. Starting off really slow in
high school. Progressing to being a two-star recruit with a lot
of doubters on my back. ... Building my way up to becoming the
seventh pick in the draft, winning every national defensive
player of the year award and then coming to Jacksonville. What
can I do to leave an impact? Last year, everyone was saying 'Oh
he did this in a contract year.' Last year was me figuring out
life."
Allen set a franchise record with 17.5 sacks in 2023 and his 45
career sacks are just 10 away from the team record (55, Tony
Brackens). He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his first
five seasons.
Under the terms of the franchise tag, Allen was guaranteed $24
million in 2024. Instead, he'll reportedly receive $88 million
guaranteed.
The next order of business for the Jaguars could be the contract
of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The No. 1 pick in 2021 is in the
final season of his four-year, $36.8 million deal with a
fifth-year option, a virtual guarantee to be picked up by the
Jaguars, for 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in
2020, signed a five-year, $275 million extension before Week 1
of the 2023 season not long after the Los Angeles Chargers
signed quarterback Justin Herbert, selected No. 6 overall in
2020, to a five-year deal worth a reported $262.5 million.
--Field Level Media
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
