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Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen loosens up before practice on Monday in Jacksonville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen skipped voluntary workouts because he wanted to “prioritize” himself.
He’s counting on it paying dividends on and off the field. The veteran outside linebacker, entering the final year of his rookie contract, made his offseason debut at Jacksonville’s three-day, mandatory minicamp Monday and said he’s “ready to take those next steps individually.”
“My individual growth last year wasn’t good enough,” he said. “Just the tape that I watched, you got to be real critical of yourself. I watched all the games, and I was real critical and I knew I needed to not put that out there no more.
“I wanted to prioritize that … to grow as a player overall.”
Allen was the only Jacksonville player under contract who skipped organized team activities. Tight end Evan Engram also was absent, but he hasn’t signed his franchise tender as the sides negotiate a long-term deal.
The 25-year-old Allen, the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft, has 185 tackles and 27½ sacks in four seasons. He finished with 57 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles last season — his first in a 3-4 scheme.
But he went eight games in the middle of the season without a sack before coming on strong down the stretch and in the postseason.
Still, the Jaguars didn’t see enough to offer him a long-term deal. Instead, they want him to play out his contract.
He’s due to make $10.9 million in 2023. Jacksonville could use its franchise tag on Allen next year, especially if general manager Trent Baalke decides he wants to use cap space to sign quarterback Trevor Lawrence and maybe receiver Calvin Ridley or others.
In the meantime, Allen just needs to be more consistent.
“We got the same staff as last year, so that’s a plus,” Allen said. “Obviously coming back in from last year, it’s like, ‘Oh, I know the majority of this.’ So now it’s just getting the rust off. … Kind of slowed it down for me just to get back into the flow of things.
“I was definitely excited about that and just to get back out there working with them, just show my face.”
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson dismissed most of his veterans for the mandatory camp, but he required Allen and anyone recovering from an injury to show to avoid fines that could total nearly $100,000 for skipping all three days.
“I just want to see him run around,” Pederson said. “I want to see the type of shape he’s in. I want to see the communication (since) he’s going to be with some young guys in his group, and I want to see that leadership this week and everything that he’s shown last year and being a Jaguar now. I want to see that this week. I just want to see that enthusiasm and that excitement to be a part of this football team.”
Pederson insisted Allen’s participation in mandatory camp should not be viewed as punitive.
“I haven’t seen him, so this is an opportunity to see him and really, really just embrace him and welcome him back,” Pederson said. “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 and it’s just good to get him back in this building and embrace him and get him back with his team.”
Allen split his offseason between Arizona and Jacksonville. He worked on movement and technique at Exos Athletic Training in Phoenix and returned home in time to catch his son's football games.
“I had a great time and I’m ready to get back to work,” Allen said.