JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars are rewarding Josh Allen for his franchise-best sack season, locking the edge rusher on a $150 million deal with more than half of that guaranteed, according to ESPN.
The deal locks up Allen for five seasons and keeps him in Jacksonville after a record-setting season that included a franchise-record 17.5 sacks. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Allen’s deal includes $88 million in guaranteed money.
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That number makes Allen one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL. His $30 million annual average places Allen behind only Nick Bosa ($34 million) and Kansas City’s Chris Jones ($31.875 million), according to Spotrac. At 26, Allen is still an ascending player and has two Pro Bowl selections on his resume. He has 45 sacks in five seasons and could eclipse franchise career sack leader Tony Brackens (55) this season.
“I’m grateful to the Jaguars organization for putting their faith in me once again. Five years ago, as a first-round pick and again today, they’ve shown that they believe in my talent and value my contributions to this team. I’m prepared to make good on their investment and do whatever it takes to bring a championship to Jacksonville,” Allen said in a statement. “Thank you to my wife, Kaitlyn, and my kids Wesley, Julian and Vanessa for supporting me on this journey. It’s always been my goal to leave a legacy wherever I go, and I’m proud that work continues in Duval.”
Jacksonville slapped the franchise tag on Allen this offseason after it couldn’t work out a long-term contract with him by the deadline. Allen was scheduled to play on the $24 million tag if the team didn’t sign him to an extension before July 15.
General manager Trent Baalke said last month that the team intended on keeping Allen in town and the team did just that.
“We are pleased to announce the signing of Josh Allen to a five-year contract,” he said in a statement. “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.”.
Getting Allen to sign a long-term deal gives Jacksonville more flexibility than it had. The franchise tag was $24 million, a number that can’t be reduced or spread over future seasons. A long-term contract gives the Jaguars five years to spread the number out over.
Allen is the type of player Jacksonville has long since sought at edge. He’s a first-round pick who excelled and earned a second deal from the Jaguars, something that the franchise has struggled to do. Jacksonville drafted Allen seventh overall out of Kentucky in 2019.