The Detroit Lions have already signed several key free agents and traded for cornerback Carlton Davis this summer. According to Austin Mock’s NFL Projection Model, the Lions are having one of the finest four offseasons in the league. However, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, edge rusher Josh Allen remains a possibility for the Lions.
Knox identified Detroit as one of two teams who are “potential suitors” for Allen.
“The Detroit Lions added pass-rusher Marcus Davenport in free agency but only inked him to a one-year deal,” Knox noted in an email. “Detroit has $21.6 million in cap space available and may see Allen as a long-term complement to Aidan Hutchinson.
“For Detroit, a lot could depend on how its cap situation looks after negotiating contracts with quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Head coach Dan Campbell has designated both as ‘priorities.'”
In addition to mentioning two potential bidders, Knox estimated Allen’s worth at $143 million on a five-year contract. He also anticipated that Allen will receive $88.5 million as a guarantee.
Allen has 45 sacks, 103 quarterback hits, and 9 forced fumbles during five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2023, he had a career-best 17.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 33 quarterback hits.
Jaguars Placed Franchise Tag on Edge. Josh Allen’s rookie contract has expired, but he may stay with the Jaguars for at least another season.
That’s because Jacksonville applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to Allen shortly before the tag deadline.
“We were not able to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Josh [Allen] before today’s deadline, and thus, we have tagged him,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on March 5, according to Demetrius Harvey of the Jacksonville Florida Times Union. “We greatly appreciate Josh’s leadership on the field, in the locker room, and in the community.
“Our objective to keep Josh in Jacksonville in the coming years remains unchanged and negotiations will continue.”
To stay in Jacksonville, Allen must agree to sign the tender. Teams can negotiate with Allen and have him sign an offer sheet as well. However, the Jaguars reserve the right to match any offer, and any team that signs Allen would send Jacksonville two first-round draft picks.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72384637/usa_today_19495662.0.jpg)
How Allen Might Fit With the Lions
In all likelihood, Allen will stay with the Jaguars. Even if he does not sign the tender, Jacksonville has complete control and does not have to trade him.
In Knox’s hypothetical, however, he advocated that the Jaguars change their minds and move on from Allen this offseason.
If Allen becomes available in a trade, the Lions are an obvious choice. Aidan Hutchinson was the only Lions defender to have more than five sacks last season. Adding Allen would give Detroit a pair of edge rushers with the potential to record double-digit sacks in 2024.
As previously stated, the Lions signed Davenport. However, Davenport has never had 10 sacks in a season. He’s also has only 2.5 sacks in his last 19 games.
Davenport’s contract is also only for one year. Allen and Hutchinson might be foundations for Detroit’s defense for the foreseeable future.
However, as Knox pointed out, whether the Lions can afford Allen is heavily influenced by the organization’s strategy on contract extensions for its own talents.
In addition to Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell is due for a significant contract deal soon. It won’t be long until Hutchinson and Alim McNeill receive wage increases.
Even with adequate budget space, the Lions must limit their spending if they intend to re-sign all of those talents within the next 2-3 years.
Leave a Reply