Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen says there wasn’t an ulterior motive to explain his absence from organized team activities (OTAs). He just needed some time to train on his own.
“I really wanted to focus on myself, prioritize myself this offseason,” Allen said after a minicamp practice Monday, via Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union. “I can really just focus on myself and not really be a part of a team. Obviously, I want to be here and be part of my guys, but it’s always that individual growth that I need to take and I feel I can do better outside of here.”
Allen, 25, spent the beginning part of his offseason working in Arizona and Florida while the Jaguars were at the team facility.
The Sun goes down, but the Grind don’t stop. @JoshAllen41_ Stays in season shape, all year. Workouts and movements designed to make sure Josh physically prepared to perform at a high level, and handle anything the game asks of him.
Pain is Temporary. Greatness is forever.… pic.twitter.com/HORYfP0JoL
— Rise & Grind Training (@RiseandGrindOP) June 12, 2023
“This is an opportunity to see him and really just embrace him and welcome him back,” Pederson said of Allen on Monday. “Listen, there’s no bad blood or nothing like that. Guys are entitled to the voluntary program, they can do what they want to do. It’s just good to get him back in this building, embrace him, and get him back with his teammates.”
The former top 10 draft pick is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is due to make $10.892 million on the fifth-year option of the contract. With free agency potentially less than a year away for Allen, the 2023 season could have a huge impact on his future, whether that’s in Jacksonville or elsewhere.
In his rookie year, Allen burst on to the scene with 10.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl nod. Since then, the pass rusher has become a defensive leader and a team captain, but his production has waned with only 17 sacks over the last three years.
A season with double-digit sacks would likely result in a huge payday for Allen, whether that’s a multi-year deal or the franchise tag. Another year with less than eight sacks would force the Jaguars to make a tough choice between letting him walk or betting on his potential. If Allen working on his own in the offseason results in the former scenario rather than the latter, all parties involved will be happy.
