JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Josh Allen isn’t changing a thing.
After the best season by a Jaguars pass rusher in franchise history, Allen landed a life-changing contract from Jacksonville and all the pressure that comes along with it. He’s not backing down from the expectations, rather inviting the opportunity to be even better than that this year. And he’s following the same path that helped deliver a 17.5-sack year.
Recommended Videos
“This is how I go throughout trying to become a better player, and then work,” Allen said. “So, if this what you want, or if that’s what you want, come on. And if ... those guys want to be involved, and you want to take that next step, I’ll show you the way I do it and we’ll go from there.”
Allen turned in the best year of his NFL career after refining his offseason regimen and sharpening his mental focus. If Allen seemed more businesslike and direct in 2023 it was because he found the blueprint to what works best for him. He’s keeping that same mindset this year.
“I mean, for me this year, man, it’s very personal, you know. Last year, you know, was I’m glad I figured out what works for me. So, for me, it’s OK, you know, I’m glad it was at the time where I needed to figure it out, you know, to benefit off of it,” Allen said. “… I’m going to show you why I found out what works for me. I’m going to double up, get better from that and improve mentally, physically and emotionally, then I can grow from there.”
Allen skipped all the voluntary offseason program in 2023 for the first time and worked out in Arizona. His absence as a team leader did spark some questions locally, but Allen returned for the mandatory portion and played out the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. He responded by breaking Calais Campbell’s franchise sack record (14.5 in 2017) and getting a five-year, $141.25 million deal with $88 million guaranteed.
The big question for the Jaguars and coach Doug Pederson, following that career year with another one.
“Can you do it again, and you have to do it again. And, you know, the fact that the contract is behind him now, and he can just focus on ball,” Pederson said. “… I think that’s his main focus, you know. In helping us he has to understand, too, that he doesn’t have to do it by himself. You know, there’s 10 other guys on the field … that can help him get to where he wants to be to.”
Things certainly look different on the Jacksonville defense from last season. Ryan Nielsen is the team’s new defensive coordinator, and his base defense is a bit different than what Allen last played in. Former coordinator Mike Caldwell ran a base 3-4 (three down linemen, four linebackers), which was thought to be too complex for players. Nielsen employs a more traditional 4-3 (four down linemen, three linebackers). Allen is still the main player coming off the edge in Nielsen’s defense, and there’s been a focus on adding some muscle around him.
“He loves ball. He’s all about ball. And he wants me to pass rush,” Allen said of Nielsen.
Jacksonville drafted LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith in the second round and signed Arik Armstead in free agency. If lineman DaVon Hamilton can return to full strength from a season-long spine injury and abscess, the Jaguars will be in much better position than they were in 2023. Allen is impressed by Armstead, a dominant player during his time in San Francisco who played alongside powerful edge Nick Bosa.
“For me I want to show him, I ain’t no Nick, but I’m Josh. And I’m just a bad boy, it’s a bad boy right here and I play the game my way. And I want him to see that,” Allen said of Armstead.
Allen worked out away from the team on his own during the voluntary portion of OTAs and minicamp, but this week’s workouts are mandatory. Pederson typically excuses most veterans from attending, but this part is the only segment that Allen attends.