4 Pros and Cons to Jacksonville Jaguars Extending Josh Allen in 2023
By Adam McCarty
Pro No. 2 – Jacksonville Jaguars OLB Josh Allen is a Fan Favorite
Since his arrival in Jacksonville, Allen has always received love from the fanbase. That is evident by the fact that his jersey ranks sixth in sales in the Jaguars shop and it’s the third most popular among their defensive players.
Allen remains the second longest-tenured defensive player on the Jags’ roster behind cornerback Tre Herndon. From a marketing standpoint, Allen has branded himself as the face of the defense and has given fans little reason to dislike him.
Obviously, the NFL is a business and his performance determines if he returns to the team after the 2023 season, but being a player that fans rally behind can definitely play a factor in how much a team will engage in contract talks. Players sell merchandise and tickets, for the Jaguars’ defense that player is Josh Allen.
Con No. 2 – Instant Impact Options in 2024 Free Agency
When it comes down to the dollars to re-sign Allen or not, it also comes to what other options are available for the Jaguars’ front office. Looking ahead to the 2024 offseason, the potential for some big names to hit free agency is there and could provide more reassurance.
With names like Nick Bosa and Danielle Hunter possibly looking to find new teams in the offseason, Jacksonville may look at the production of Allen in 2023 and decide it is worth spending the extra money for guys that would likely provide a bigger impact.
Bosa likely won’t make it to free agency, but if he did, he would warrant one of the biggest edge rusher contracts in NFL history. Hunter is an option that has a great track record with the Minnesota Vikings and a versatility that would prove effective. The free agent market may have some big names along with these two that may cause the Jaguars to move away from Allen.