Jacksonville Jaguars announce big news for Josh Allen ahead of 2022 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars are tying up loose ends before making the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday. The Jags announced they are exercising the fifth-year option on edge rusher Josh Allen‘s contract. The deal keeps him in Jacksonville through 2023.
The former Kentucky Wildcats star had the best year of his career so far in 2021. He made 71 tackles (46 solo), 7.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and the first interception of his career. The Jaguars are still a long way from putting it all together but keeping Josh Allen for a couple more seasons will help.
Jacksonville drafted Allen with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $22.74 million rookie deal. His new fifth-year extension pays him $11.5 million in 2023.
The Jaguars could be picking another end to pair with Allen in just a handful of hours. The leading candidate in Vegas right now is Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker.
Jaguars pick up fifth-year option for Cam Robinson
Also ahead of the draft on Thursday, the Jags picked up star offensive tackle Cam Robinson‘s fifth year. The Jags put a franchise tag on Robinson to keep him out of the free agency market in March, but the two parties have finally agreed on a contract extension, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
“Sources: The #Jaguars and OT Cam Robinson have reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension. He gets a nice deal and security and Jax secures a key spot,” Rapoport shared on Tuesday.
Robinson, who earned $13.75 million in 2021, was due $16.66 million with the franchise tag in 2022. However, it appears the Jaguars are ready to shell out even more to keep the former Crimson Tide star with the team long-term.
Jacksonville is locking Robinson in with a three-year deal, worth $54 million, Rapoport reported. The $18 million per year figure puts him in the top-six for highest-paid left tackles in 2022.
He was the Jags’ second-round pick at No. 34 overall in 2017 following a stellar career at Alabama. He’s made 61 starts in 61 games played so far in his career.