4 winners and 2 losers from Jaguars giving Josh Allen massive extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars just showed how much they valued outside linebacker Josh Allen by giving him a huge contract extension. Not long after the news was reported, the team announced the deal.

Allen told the local media after signing the contract that he wanted to cry, and why wouldn't he? On top of being one of the best defensive players in franchise history, he just got a five-year deal worth $150 million with $88 guarantees.

But as happy as Allen is after getting a new deal, he knows the job isn't over. His goal is to win the Super Bowl. The Jags, for their part, can now turn their attention to the 2024 NFL Draft. They can also focus on taking care of other players who are in line for a contract (e.g. Trevor Lawrence).

With that in mind, here are four winners and two losers from the Josh Allen deal.

Winner No. 1: Josh Allen himself

There's no bigger winner than Josh Allen himself. Coming off a banner year, he wanted to get a deal done but the front office wasn't in a rush to engage in contract talks. Rightfully, Allen and his representations weren't thrilled about the Jaguars' lack of urgency.

While the Jaguars and Allen eventually had positive talks, they couldn't strike a deal before the start of free agency, so he got the franchise tag. Both parties kept exchanging offers, but they weren't getting any done, so the star pass rusher took to social media in April to share his frustration.

Maybe general manager Trent Baalke caught wind of the post because the Jaguars announced that they had struck a deal just one week later. Now, Allen is the second highest-paid edge rusher in the league. The extension he signed pays him an average of $30 million per year, $1.8 million more than defensive end Brian Burns, who also got a new contract after getting traded to the New York Giants.

Make no mistake, Allen earned this contract. In 2023, he found the consistency he was missing in previous years and went on to set a new franchise record for sacks in a season with 17.5. Understandably, the Jags wanted more from him so they let him play his contract out before making a decision. He met expectations and then some.

Winner No. 2: Jaguars GM Trent Baalke

General manager Trent Baalke has gotten lots of criticism the past few months and most of it has been earned. However, he deserves praise for getting Josh Allen's extension done. It's true that it took him more time than it should. He could've easily given a new deal last year but instead put it off.

Had Baalke operated with a sense of urgency, he could've paid Allen before free agency and used the franchise tag on wide receiver Calvin Ridley to prevent him from leaving. On the other hand, Baalke brought in several key players, such as Arik Armstead and Mitch Morse, in free agency. Striking a long-term deal with Josh Allen is the cherry on the top.

Winner No. 3: Ryan Nielsen

The Jaguars hired Ryan Nielsen to oversee the defense because they thought his predecessor, Mike Caldwell didn't get the most out of the unit. Nielsen was the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons last year, and under his watch, they showed a noticeable improvement. The Jags most likely expect a similar impact.

With Josh Allen in the mix, Nielsen will have no trouble installing his system. Add the presence of Arik Armstead, and Travon Walker, and Jacksonville will have a dominant front four. Had Allen not gotten a deal, there's a chance he would've held out and Nielsen wouldn't have had his best player. That won't be the case.

Winner No. 4: Micah Parsons

Most of the top edger rushers in the league got paid either this offseason or last year. Before Josh Allen inked his new contract, Nick Bosa, Danielle Hunter, Rashad Gary, and Montez Sweat also got new deals.

That leaves Micah Parsons as the only elite pass rusher waiting to get paid, and seeing the contract Josh Allen got should make him smile. Parsons is a top 3 edge rusher in the NFL, and Allen rose the bar when he got an annual average of $30 million. Parsons won't (and shouldn't) settle for anything less.

Loser No. 1: Left tackles in the AFC South

The Jaguars' defensive front is stacked. Signing Arik Armstead in free agency was huge. Not only is Armstead great at stymying the run but he can also create pressure from the interior. DaVon Hamilton, who was held back by injuries last year, should line up next to him in Ryan Nielsen's 4-3 defense. Roy Robertson-Harrison will also get considerable playing time in a rotation role.

Having so much talent inside will give Josh Allen plenty of favorable matchups. He's previously done a good job of setting the edge but this is the first time in a while he'll play next to a player of Armstead's caliber.

Without having to worry about his contract status, Allen can fully focus on making the adjustment to Nielsen's scheme, where he'll play with his hand on the ground. That doesn't bode well for left tackles in the division.

Leremy Tunsil (Houston Texans) and Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts) already had trouble stopping Josh Allen. Things won't get any easier for them, and whoever starts at left tackle for the Tennessee Titans in 2023.

Loser 2: The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys most likely groaned when they saw Josh Allen get paid. That's because Micah Parsons also wants a new deal, and Jerry Jones, the de facto general manager for the Cowboys, is a bad negotiator. He won't extend his premiere players when he has the chance and will end up overpaying to avoid losing them. That was the case with Dak Prescott and could be the case with Parsons.

Now, Prescott is entering a contract year and has lots of leverage because the Cowboys mismanaged the cap and didn't give him an extension at the appropriate time. Something similar could happen with Parsons, who should use Allen's contract as a baseline in negotiations.

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