Jacksonville Jaguars fans were somewhat confused and surprised by what they heard from general manager Trent Baalke on Thursday regarding a couple of key contract decisions the team will need to make regarding quarterback Trevor Lawrence and star pass rusher Josh Allen.
Per the Jaguars website, Baalke said Allen “will be a Jaguar” for the 2024 season. Baalke said the Jaguars are far from a multi-year extension with Allen, bringing up the possibility they could use the franchise tag to keep their star outside linebacker. Baalke said the Jaguars and Allen would need to find a “good” number for everyone:
“Those negotiations will start,” Baalke said. “I know Josh wants to be here. I know we want him here. Can we come to a number that works for everybody? That’s the key and I respect that. You have to respect these guys that put themselves in this position. They work hard. They deserve to make good money. What that ‘good’ means to them could be different than what it means to us.
Baalke has a couple of other big contracts to consider this offseason, including Lawrence and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Baalke said they’d get “something done” when the timing was appropriate on Lawrence’s contract. It appears as though Lawrence has more to show the Jaguars in 2024.
Jaguars fans were excited to learn they’d keep their star pass rusher. However, most Jaguars fans were surprised to learn the team is so far away in negotiations. Many feel the team should have been negotiating with Allen during the season.
Allen had a breakout season in 2023. He was tied for second in the league for most sacks in the regular season with 17.5 sacks. Here are the best takes of Jaguars fans reacting to Allen’s contract update.
