Wide receiver Josh Allen and the Jaguars agree to a $150 million deal

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Josh Allen and the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract Wednesday with $88 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

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The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been formally signed or announced.

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The deal makes Allen the third-highest paid defensive player in the league by average salary behind San Francisco's Nick Bosa and Kansas City's Chris Jones.

The Jaguars applied their franchise tag to Allen in early March, working him to a long-term deal that would keep him in Jacksonville until his prime.

Allen, the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft, set a franchise single-season record with 17 1/2 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract and is 10 shy of the team's career mark held by Tony Brackens (1996) (55-2003).

The Jaguars released three defensive players — cornerback Darius Williams, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi — to create the $20 million salary cap to sign Allen.

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Allen has 45 sacks in 74 games spanning five seasons. The Virginia native and former Kentucky star had a stellar 2023, finishing with career highs in sacks, quarterback hits (33) and tackles (66). He started all 17 games in his second season and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.

The Jaguars have made it clear they want him to finish his NFL career where it began.

“I know Josh wants to be here. I know we want him here,” general manager Trent Baalke said. “Can we come to a number that works for everyone?” This is the key. I respect that. … You have to respect the guys who put themselves in this situation. They work hard. They deserve to earn good money.

“What's good for them may mean something different to us. We just have to get together, sit down at the table and figure something out.”

Although Allen has been paired with 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker for years, Jacksonville still needs depth at the position and will look to upgrade from backups K'LaVon Chaison and DaWuan Smoot in the upcoming draft.

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