Jaguars Sign Pro Bowl EDGE to $150,000,000 Extension

With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, most teams are fully focused there. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars had one thing to get done first: an extension with superstar pass rusher Josh Allen. Now, they’ve got it done, making him one of the highest-paid players at his position and the highest-paid player in franchise history.

What Does Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen’s Extension Look Like?

At 26 years old, Allen had the best year of his career with 17.5 sacks and one interception. However, with a deal tough to come to terms on quickly, the Jaguars placed the $24 million franchise tag on him to make sure he was around and to give the two sides more time to come to terms on a deal.

However, before a holdout of any sort could happen, the two sides got things done, agreeing to a five-year, $150 million deal that includes $88 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. He’s now under contract until the 2029 season when he will be 32.

Pro Bowl LB Josh Allen reached agreement on a five-year, $150 million contract that includes $88 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN.

Allen had a Jaguars franchise-record 17.5 sacks last season.

The deal was negotiated by @WME_Sports. pic.twitter.com/FMoLSeTSvJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2024

Here’s a look at the specifics of the deal, according to Spotrac:

• Five years, $141.25 million
• $76.5 million guaranteed at signing
• $35 million cash in 2024
• $8.75 million in incentives
• Practically, a three-year, $91 million deal

He will have cap hits of $11.1 million, $39.4 million, $29.4 million, $31.1 million, and $31.9 million from 2024-2028, respectively. The deal makes Allen the second highest-paid EDGE in the NFL, behind just Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, who signed a five-year, $170 million deal last year.

Allen’s deal puts him just ahead of Brian Burns, who was recently signed to a five-year, $141 million deal with the New York Giants. He’s also ahead of T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett who make $28 and $25 million a year, respectively.

Allen is the first player in the Jaguars’ franchise history to earn a deal upwards of $100 million. This comes after setting the franchise’s single-season sack record in 2023 with 17.5 He is currently second in franchise career sacks with 45, behind only Tony Brackens, who had 55.

According to NextGenStats, Allen generated a career-high 96 pressures last season, which was the most in the NFL and fourth-most by any defender in a single season since 2018. He also generated career-highs in pressure rate (19.6%), defensive stops (49), and sacks (17.5) in 2023.

“Josh is a true pro who has developed into one of the top-producing defensive players at his position in the NFL and a cornerstone of our defense. He is a leader on and off the field, and we are excited for Josh and his family, as well as our fanbase,” general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.

“The job’s not done yet, that’s what I want to tell the fanbase… I gotta win a Super Bowl and be the MVP. I’m not gonna stop until I get that. That’s motivating me, that’s bigger than money.” @JoshAllen41_ | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/DQMxSti82N

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 10, 2024

“The job’s not done yet, that’s what I want to tell the fanbase,” Allen said when meeting with the media. “I gotta win a Super Bowl and be the MVP. I’m not gonna stop until I get that. That’s motivating me; that’s bigger than money.”

Allen’s signing marks the 14th move the team has made. Some of the moves they’ve made were signing Arik Armstead, Ronald Darby, Devin Duvernay, Trevis Gipson, Darnell Savage, Mitch Morse, Gabe Davis, and Joey Slye. They’ve also re-signed Daniel Thomas, Ezra Cleveland, Blake Hance, Jeremiah Ledbetter, and D’Ernest Johnson

What’s Next for the Jaguars?

When it comes to Allen and the Jaguars, he’s officially the team’s defensive cornerstone. He will look to work alongside former first-overall pick Travon Walker for at least the next three years, and potentially longer. The two combined for the most sacks by a duo in the NFL in 2023 with 27.5.

However, there’s still work to do around the rest of the team. Allen’s new deal lowered his cap hit in 2023 from roughly $24 million on the franchise tag to just above $11 million on his new deal, saving nearly $13 million in cap space. That now gives the Jaguars around $30 million in cap space for 2024.

With that space, it gives the Jaguars options. They could still sign current free agents, such as former Atlanta Falcons EDGE Bud Dupree to be the team’s third EDGE and designated pass rusher, or they could use it to improve the wide receiver position.

KEEP READING: NFL EDGE Rankings 2024 — Micah Parsons Claims Top Spot, Will Anderson Jr. Rises

Two names who have come up in trade rumors for the Jaguars are Tee Higgins, who requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, and Brandon Aiyuk. Both would command massive new deals in a trade, which Jacksonville could now afford thanks to the freed-up cap space.

If all else fails, the Jaguars still have nine picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including three in the top 100. They can use those picks to continue to solidify the team’s roster. Thanks to Allen being locked down, they will likely move EDGE down the list of priorities.

Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!