Jaguars Extend Josh Allen: 3 Observations on Record-Setting Contract

What does the Josh Allen extension mean for the Jaguars?

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) celebrates a sack during the first quarter of a / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA

Josh Allen got his pay day, and then some.

Wednesday saw Allen's contract saga come to a swift and positive end, with the Jaguars giving Allen the largest contract in franchise history on a five-year, $141.25 million deal with $76.5 million fully guaranteed.

So, what does the Allen extension mean and what are our takes on the outcome? We weigh in below.

Josh Allen won in a big, big way

This space has long been one where the advocation of paying Allen has been clear. Allen deserves being paid like one of the best defenders in football because, more often than not, that has what he has been for the Jaguars. The fact that Allen had the best season of his career in his fifth season is a good thing for the Jaguars and far from a negative.

There are a lot of reasons to think Allen can reach new heights over the course of his new deal. And, honestly, would anyone truly be surprised if Allen doesn't eclipse 45 sacks over the next five years? There is an argument to make that this should be his floor. There is a strong chance that Allen, who is 10.5 sacks away from passing Tony Brackens and becoming the franchise's all-time sack leader, will end his career as the best defender in franchise history.

Yet for all of the reasons why this is a good thing for the Jaguars, Allen is still the big winner here. Allen entered his fifth season on a true prove-it deal and left with one of the best contract-year performances in recent NFL history. Allen became one of the highest-paid pass-rushers in football, putting his name up there with the T.J. Watt's and Myles Garrett's of the world. And he did it his way.

Why the Jaguars' front office deserves credit

While this space has also criticized the Jaguars' front office for the timing of the Allen contract, it is worth it at the end of the day to remember why this is a win for the Jaguars. They obviously are keeping an elite pass-rusher and the best player on their roster under contract for the long-term future, but they also are making a statement. Produce and do the right things on and off the field, and you wull be rewarded.

This has not always been the case in Jacksonville, especially for top picks. Yes, the Jaguars have more often than not picked players who weren't worth extending from 2010-2018, but there were still great players who came through the organization who didn't sign new deals. Jalen Ramsey, Yannick Ngakoue, and Allen Robinson -- all top-100 picks who made the Pro Bowl during their rookie deals -- left Jacksonville without a second deal. Ultimately since 2010, only nine first-, second-, or third-round picks have been re-signed at all.

Allen can be the start of change, though, and the Jaguars deserve credit for doing the right thing by him. Sure, re-signing a Pro Bowl pass-rusher in his 20s is a fairly obvious move, but the Jaguars managed to get through this process without virtually any of the drama that plagued them in the past. Allen's deal should suggest a new era for homegrown talent.

What this means for the No. 17 pick

It always felt like a stretch for edge rusher to be in major consideration for the Jaguars at No. 17. Yes, the Jaguars stick to the tried and true method of best player available, but they also have clear needs and more often than not operate like a team that is aware of where they need to improve. Allen is locked in for the next three to five years, and the Jaguars will likely want to extend former No. 1 pick Travon Walker when the time comes, too.

That is why it is now hard to imagine players like Alabama's Dallas Turner, Florida State's Jared Verse, or UCLA's Laiatu Latu as legitimate potential options at No. 17. There is a good chance any of the three could be the true best player left on the board by the time the Jaguars are on the clock, but there is an even better chance the Jaguars have a player with the same grade at a different position.

While the Jaguars do need more pass-rush depth behind Allen and Walker, it is difficult to reason the Jaguars would prefer to pick a rotational player in the first-round. When they were looking for pass-rushers at the trade deadline, they weren't looking for starters. It is hard to imagine that theory has changed.