Jaguars apply franchise tag, retain pass rusher Josh Allen

The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on pass rusher Josh Allen, who would make $24 million next season unless he works out on a long-term contract with Jacksonville before the NFL deadline on July 17.

Allen, the No. 7 overall selection in 2019, played the 2023 season on his fifth-year option and posted career highs with 17.5 sacks and 33 quarterback hits in 17 games.

The 26-year-old was voted to his second Pro Bowl and head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke let him know before the end of last season they were committed to keeping him in Jacksonville.

"Yeah, Josh will be a Jaguar," Baalke said in January. "I know Josh wants to be here, and I know we want him here. Can we come to a number that works for everybody? That's the key."

Two edge rushers — Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns is the other — were tagged on Tuesday.

A long-term deal didn't happen despite a meeting with Allen's representatives in Indianapolis last week.

Only five "edge rushers," comprised of defensive ends and pass-rushing outside linebackers, are scheduled to make more than Allen's franchise tender in 2024.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the highest-paid player at the position group next season with an annual average salary of $34 million on a $170 million contract that raised the bar significantly last summer.

Montez Sweat, acquired by the Bears in October, is scheduled to make $24.5 million per year on a new $98 million agreement with Chicago. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns ($25 million), Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers ($27 million) and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt ($28 million) are the only other players in the same range.

—Field Level Media