Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen said ‘figuring out life’ was the key to his career-best season last year that has seen him rewarded with a huge new contract.
Allen, who was franchised tagged by the Jaguars last month, reached an agreement with the AFC South side on Wednesday that saw him sign a new five-year, $150million contract that includes $88million in guaranteed money and makes him one of the best-paid players in his position
“Last year was me figuring everything out,” Allen told the team’s website after putting pen to paper. “I know everybody talks about, ‘Oh, it was the contract year, he was extra motivated.’ For me it was figuring out life. Nobody gives you a guidebook and says, ‘This is life, this is what you want to do. This is how you handle it.’”
Allen registered 17.5 sacks last season, making his second Pro Bowl appearance in the process, but insists he now has bigger and bolder goals to achieve that go beyond a mere salary bump.
"I'm extremely blessed and honored to get this paycheck – or to get these checks, but I still set goals for myself," he said. "Defensive Player of the Year is my next goal – winning in the Super Bowl, being the MVP of it. I'm a legacy guy.”
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