Let’s Talk Business: Josh Allen Sends Message To Jacksonville Jaguars About New Contract
Josh Allen, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive standout pass rusher, sent a strong message to general manager Trent Baalkle this week over his future free agency. Allen is coming off a career season in which the Edge had the second-highest sack total in the league (17.5) for the 2023 season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will keep Josh Allen
As previously noted on GH, Baalke promised Jaguars supporters in January that the team plans to keep Allen for the 2024 season, even if it means using the franchise tag:
According to the Jaguars’ website, Baalke declared Allen “will be a Jaguar” for the 2024 season. According to Baalke, the Jaguars are far from agreeing to a multi-year agreement with Allen, raising the likelihood of using the franchise tag to keep their star outside linebacker. Baalke stated that the Jaguars and Allen would need to find a “good” amount for everyone.
“Those negotiations will begin,” Baalke stated. “I know Josh wants to be here. I know we want him here. Can we find a number that works for everyone? That’s the key, and I respect it. You have to respect these people for putting themselves in this position.
They deserve to make a good living. What ‘good’ means to them may differ from what we understand.
“We just have to come together, sit down at the table and work things out.”
Allen: “The NFL is about business.”
Allen told his side of the deal story during a Pro Bowl event on Friday. Allen was nominated for his second Pro Bowl in his NFL career this season. According to a video released on X by Justin W. Lewis with Jaxdotcom, Allen indicated he cared about “business” above anything else:
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(979x265:981x267)/josh-allen-buffalo-bills-120122-53e3b5e302e74e019091fbe87af68d8a.jpg)
“What I’ve grown to understand that the NFL is, seeing it firsthand, the NFL is a business at the end of the day,” Allen went on to say.
“So, you know, if I do what you do on the field, it’s because I enjoy it, play it, respect it, and care about my teammates. I enjoy the competitive nature, but at the end of the day, it’s business. If you handle it or think about it in any way, you will be thrown out of there. So, let’s talk business. “Let us do it.”
The franchise tag is part of the business.
Allen refuses to bend on his contract. He shouldn’t, since Allen is coming off his best season in the NFL. However, it seems anticipated that Baalke will use the franchise tag on Allen for the 2024 season. The Jaguars aren’t going to want to pay Allen’s salary after one outstanding season.
