The Detroit Lions have already added several important free agents and acquired cornerback Carlton Davis during this offseason. According to Austin Mock’s NFL Projection Model, the Lions are having one of the best four offseasons in the NFL. However Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox still sees it as a possibility for the Lions. edge rusher Josh Allen for the Lions.
Knox stated that Detroit is one of two teams that could potentially pursue Allen.
“The Detroit Lions added pass-rusher Marcus Davenport in free agency but only signed him to a single-year agreement,” Knox wrote. Detroit has $21.6 million in cap space and may see Allen as a long-term complement to Aidan Hutchinson.
“For Detroit, much depends on their cap situation after negotiating extensions for quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Head coach Dan Campbell has referred to both as ‘priorities.'”
In addition to suggesting two potential teams, Knox anticipated Allen to be valued at $143 million for a 5-year deal. He also forecasted that Allen would receive $88.5 million guaranteed.
Allen has recorded 45 sacks, 103 quarterback hits, and 9 forced fumbles during five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2023, he achieved a career-high 17.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits.
Jaguars Employ Franchise Tag on Edge Josh Allen
Allen’s rookie contract has expired, but he could continue with the Jaguars for another season at least.
This is because just before the tag deadline, Jacksonville placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Allen.
“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, via Jacksonville Florida Times-Union’s Demetrius Harvey. “We certainly value 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.”
For Allen to remain in Jacksonville, though, he will have to agree to sign the tender. Teams can negotiate with Allen and sign him to an offer sheet as well. But the Jaguars will have the right to match any offer, and any team who signs Allen will send Jacksonville two first-round draft picks.
How Allen Could Fit With the Lions
It's most likely that Allen will stay with the Jaguars. Even if he doesn’t sign the tender, Jacksonville holds all the leverage and doesn’t have to trade him.
For Knox’s scenario, he suggested the Jaguars changing their minds and parting ways with Allen this offseason.
If Allen were to become available for a trade, then the Lions would be a perfect match. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was the only Lions defender who had more than 5 sacks last season. Adding Allen would give Detroit a pair of edge rushers who are candidates to be double-digit sack artists in 2024.
As previously mentioned, the Lions signed Davenport. But Davenport has never reached 10 sacks in a season. He’s also had just 2.5 sacks in his past 19 games.
Davenport is signed to only a 1-year contract as well. Allen and Hutchinson could be cornerstones for Detroit’s defense for the foreseeable future.
But as Knox pointed out, whether the Lions can afford Allen depends a lot on the organization’s plan with contract extensions for their own stars.
In addition to Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell will be due a significant contract extension soon. It also won’t be long until Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are due pay raises.
Even with decent cap space, the Lions have to monitor their spending if they plan to re-sign all of those stars in the next 2-3 years.
