Ranking Jaguars 5 top offseason priorities after hiring Doug Pederson

No. 4 Jaguars’ offseason priority – Use 5th-year option on Josh Allen.

Re-signing DJ Chark this offseason is key if the Jaguars want to give Trevor Lawrence a weapon to work with. However, there are ways they could potentially replace him if they aren’t able to work out a deal. On the other hand, losing outside linebacker Josh Allen would be a devastating hit to their defense. After all, pass rushers don’t grow on trees and Jacksonville has a good one in the Kentucky product.

Now, Allen still has one year left on his rookie deal but the Jags have to decide if they will exercise the team’s fifth-year option. The deadline is May 2 but it should be a no-brainer. The 2019 first-round pick has shown flashes of dominant play throughout his NFL career and is Jacksonville’s top edge rusher. He’s a core player on their defense and was named team captain by his teammates last season. You simply don’t let those kind of players walk away. That’s what the Jaguars have done in the past and that approach hasn’t worked for them. They must buck the trend this offseason.

Not only do the Jaguars need to apply the fifth-year option but they also have to give Allen a long-term deal to ensure he remains in Jacksonville for years to come. The outside linebacker was one of the top rushers in the league point at the midpoint of the 2021 season but his performance wavered down the stretch. He must be more consistent next season but getting some assurances from the organization would help him know he’s wanted.