Three hottest seats on the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) were among the most surprising teams in the NFL last season. After having the worst record in the league in 2020 and 2021, they won the AFC South title and made one of the largest comebacks in playoff history.
Although Jacksonville’s future is full of exciting possibilities, here are three Jaguars on the hottest seats in 2023:
1. Owner Shahid Khan
Jacksonville may finally emerge as an attractive free-agent destination if Khan can fix the rat problem first.
In the recent NFLPA Player Team Report Cards, the Jaguars had the fifth worst overall grade and tied for last in the “Treatment of Families” category. According to the players polled, the Jaguars had a rat infestation in their locker room and laundry hampers for three to four weeks this past season.
Additionally, players feel there isn’t enough space in the Jaguars’ weight room, and training room amenities must improve. Their food quality was ranked 27th in the league.
As the seventh richest owner in the NFL, Khan shouldn’t have any issues upgrading his facilities. Now that his team is succeeding, Khan should be more motivated to make the franchise more desirable.
2. Outside linebacker Josh Allen
While the 2019 first-round pick is integral to Jacksonville’s defense, Allen will be a free agent after next season, and the team might be reluctant to re-sign him.
Allen made strides as a pass rusher last season, recording 40 quarterback pressures, the seventh most in the NFL. However, he has just 17 sacks since his 10.5-sack rookie season.
Based on Spotrac’s calculations, Allen is estimated to earn a four-year, $64.7M contract on the open market. Jacksonville may be unable to afford him at that price, let alone feel he’s worth the high salary.
The Jaguars project to have the 24th most cap space in 2024. When the time comes, that ranking could be even lower because QB Trevor Lawrence will be eligible for an extension. GM Trent Baalke must be strategic in his spending on other positions.
If Allen excels next season, perhaps Jacksonville will feel that it cannot lose him, but it may require another double-digit sack season for that to happen.
3. Outside linebacker Travon Walker
With a strong showing at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Walker’s stock soared from a borderline first-rounder to the top pick in the draft. It was a questionable selection then, and he didn’t live up to his status as the No.1 pick in his rookie season.
Walker’s 3.5 sacks were fourth on the Jaguars and seventh among rookies. Jacksonville desperately needs that total to rise; its defense was 26th in sacks last season (35).
Pro Football Focus graded the former Georgia Bulldog as the 10th-best rookie edge defender (58). Among all edge defenders, PFF ranked him 91st.
Last month, Walker told ESPN’s Michael DiRocco that 2022 “was a growing year” and “there’s plenty more to come.” Hopefully, Walker can back up his statement; otherwise, he might soon be labeled a bust.
