Josh Allen receives franchise tag from Jacksonville Jaguars

by:Nick Roush•03/05/24•

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Josh Allen saved the best year of his career for the last of his rookie deal. Instead of parlaying that into some serious guaranteed money, he’s stuck in limbo for another season.

The former Kentucky pass-rusher will play the 2024 season on the franchise tag after Allen’s representatives and the Jacksonville Jaguars failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. The franchise tag at his coveted EDGE rusher position is valued at $24 million in guaranteed money. It’s the second-most expensive position to tag, behind only quarterbacks. That money is tax-free for home games played in the state of Florida.

If you’re unfamiliar with how the franchise tag works, each team can use it once a year to prevent a player from entering free agency. The tag is valued based on the average salary of the player’s position. Even though Allen did not receive a jaw-dropping extension that gives his family generational wealth, he’s still going to be doing just fine next season.

Allen earned Pro Bowl honors for the second time in his career during the 2023 season. He set the Jacksonville Jaguars single-season franchise record for sacks with 17.5, the second-most in the NFL. Allen also had a career-high 17 non-sack tackles for loss. The team captain picked off a pass and tallied 66 tackles.

College Football’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. This is the most sacks he’s recorded in a season since his debut.

Allen had an exceptional season, but the Jaguars ended with a thud. How many times have you heard that before? Jacksonville let the AFC South title slip out of their fingertips with a loss to Tennessee during the final week of the regular season, capping off a six-week stretch that included five losses.

Jacksonville wants to build around Josh Allen. Will it be a wise move for him to remain there long-term? That may be determined this fall while he cashes $24 million on the franchise tag.