A franchise-record 17.5 sacks and a massive extension later, Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen doesn't plan on letting down in 2024.
He plans on continuing to rise up the ranks of the NFL's elite. That includes aspiring to win AP Defensive Player of the Year as he aims to prove his 2023 dominance wasn't just a performance driven by contractual desires.
"For me, this year man it's very personal," Allen told reporters Monday at the dawn of the Jaguars' mandatory minicamp. "Last year, I figured out what works for me. And so, for me it's OK, I'm glad it was at the time where I needed to figure it out to benefit off of it. But now for me it's like, 'You did it 'cause of that.' No, I'm going to show you why. I found out what works for me, I'm going to double up, get better from that and improve mentally, physically and emotionally and now I can grow from there."
Though Allen's growth won't be measured by awards, being recognized as the NFL's best defender would certainly mark a massive step forward in his career. It's an achievement the soon-to-be six-year pro is striving for this season.
"One of my goals is I'm going to win Defensive Player of the Year," said Allen, who signed a five-year, $150 million extension this offseason. "For me, I have to be tier one. I have to be above tier one because there's guys (who) already solidified themselves that they're looking at."
Though Allen earned a second Pro Bowl nod in 2023 and produced career highs in sacks, tackles for loss (17) and QB hits (33), it came with the unfortunate backdrop of a 9-8 season in which the Jaguars fell short of the playoffs.
As Allen aspires to reach elite air, he believes he will push his teammates to do the same.
"Well, you gonna have to beat me, so you gonna have to work," Allen said. "So now I know this is what you want to do, I'm gonna show you, you're gonna have to show me. If you're slacking, defensive players of the year don't do that. They don't slack, so that's the accountability we can hold in ourselves. It's to see more guys buy into that bigger, bigger aspect. Shoot to the top. I didn't play last year to be a Pro Bowler, I'm pissed about that. So that's another fuel that I can really bank on. I got a lot of stuff in my bag that I can carry on and a lot of things that fuel me going into this year. I'm excited about this year. Think it's gonna be a great year. We got a great team."
Should Allen accomplish his individual goal of bringing home DPOY honors, it would continue the pass-rushing trend for the award, as the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett was the 2023 winner following Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers; 2022), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers; 2021) and Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams, 2020). However, Allen is also chasing history, as no Jaguars player has ever won the honor.
It's an accolade that won't be announced until February at ¹ś²śĶāĮ÷ĶųHonors. There's much to do before then, such as getting back to the playoffs and perhaps reaching new heights as a team.
One of Allen's newest teammates, defensive tackle Arik Armstead, knows a bit about said heights. Armstead brings the experience of having advanced to a Super Bowl and likewise playing alongside a DPOY, former longtime teammate Bosa.
Clearly able to find inspiration easily, Allen's driven by his new teammate, as well.
"I want to show him, that I ain't no Nick but I'm Josh and it's a bad boy, it's a bad boy right here," he said. "And I play the game my way and I want him to see that, and I want him to know when you get to the Super Bowl, we gonna win it. That was my goal for me and for him. When we get there, we're going all the way and I told him, I'm going to be the MVP of it too, so I can't wait to get there."
There is no shortage of the highest of hope for Allen in the 2024 season.
DPOY? Check. Win a Super Bowl? Check. Make Duval history? Check.
