Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
There’s extra quarterback expertise than ever earlier than within the NFL, significantly within the AFC. And no different division within the league has extra upside on the place than the AFC South. The Texans, Jaguars, Colts and Titans all have younger, rising quarterbacks beneath age 25.
So it is paramount that the franchises not solely construct round them offensively, but additionally do what’s crucial defensively to decelerate the QBs who play for his or her rivals.
With that in thoughts, Jacksonville made a no brainer, long-term funding on Wednesday.
In agreeing to phrases with star edge rusher Josh Allen on a five-year, $150 deal that features $88 million assured, the biggest contract in franchise historical past, the Jaguars took a significant step towards assuring that they will have a aggressive move rush for the foreseeable future.
Allen, who had a team-record 17.5 sacks final season, mixed with former No. 1 general choose Travon Walker to guide all NFL duos with 27.5 sacks in 2023. Factoring in that Walker ought to proceed to develop (he went from 3.5 sacks as a rookie to 10 final season), a brand new menace from the inside in free-agent acquisition Arik Armstead (the veteran 49ers defensive sort out signed a three-year, $43.5 deal final month) and a defensive-line specialist in new coordinator Ryan Nielsen, the Jaguars ought to compete with the Texans for one of the best move rush within the division.
Well being-enabling, the trio of Allen, Walker and Armstead may play collectively for no less than the subsequent two seasons. They kind the muse of a line of defense that also needs to be robust in opposition to the run. The Jags struggled to defend the frenzy late final season, and that performed a key function within the workforce’s collapse.
Allen had a career-high 49 stops in 2023. And of the 62 edge rushers who performed no less than 500 snaps final season, he ranked simply outdoors the highest third with a 5.8% cease fee, based on Subsequent Gen Stats.
On prime of extending Allen and signing Armstead, Jacksonville additionally prolonged standout linebacker Foye Oluokun, who has led the NFL in solo tackles in back-to-back seasons.
“Get him going, hopefully get him to enhance,” Nielsen stated of Allen at his introductory press convention in February. “That is the final word purpose. If we are able to simply get that a lot better subsequent yr, what does that seem like?”
The one critique some could make on Allen’s deal, which makes the Professional Bowl outdoors linebacker the NFL’s third-highest paid defensive participant in common annual worth at $30 million, is the timing. Jacksonville had publicly expressed its need to maintain him, and everybody knew the worth to retain him long-term can be a record-setting deal for the franchise. Had a contract with Allen been reached forward of free company, Jacksonville may have used the franchise tag on broad receiver Calvin Ridley, who departed in free company to signal a large take care of the rival Titans. The consensus is that the workforce has taken a step again at receiver in shedding Ridley.
However the actuality is that contract negotiations aren’t so cut-and-dried. There are stipulations past common annual worth and generic ensures that take longer to iron out.
No matter how lengthy it took, the truth that an extension has been agreed to forward of the July deadline is a win. Now, there is not any shadow that can linger over the workforce into coaching camp.
And make no mistake about it, this may matter within the Jaguars’ locker room. It issues to gamers when a homegrown star will get paid his value. It sends a constructive message in regards to the group.
Allen’s deal now units the stage for negotiations with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s eligible for an extension. His long-term future in Jacksonville turns into the No. 1 precedence. The Jags have till Might 2 to choose up the fifth-year possibility in his rookie contract.
If all goes based on plan, Allen’s reign because the highest-paid participant in franchise historical past must be short-lived.
For now, although, Jacksonville has no less than one in all its cornerstones locked in for years to return.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You’ll be able to observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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