JACKSONVILLE – Josh Allen is proud, and he made that clear early this week.
He made it clear again Thursday.
"Personally, when I'm all in, I'm all in," the Jaguars' second-year defensive end told media via videoconference Thursday.
Allen, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie last season, earlier this week posted a Tweet on Twitter that read as follows: "Glad to be a JACKSONVILLE JAGUAR #Duuuuvallllll"
The Tweet came after several former Jaguars players – including running back Leonard Fournette and safety Ronnie Harrison – made less-than-favorable comments about the organization in recent days. The Jaguars released Fournette early last week and traded Harrison later in the week.
"I'm going to put everything I can into this organization to give higher standards," Allen said Thursday. "I want this city to know they have a guy who's passionate about this team, who's passionate about this city, who's passionate about all these teammates – coaches and everybody included.
"I'm all in. I feel like my teammates know that. I hope Duval knows that. Hopefully, I can be here for a very long time and to help change the franchise now, next year, three years, ten years … who knows how long? I just want to leave a big impact on this city and that's who I want to be remembered as."
Allen added, "The Jaguars took a chance on me. I want to bring the standard back high. That's just something I pride myself on. … Not a lot of people in this world get to have the opportunity like we have. To have the opportunity to have this team come pick you up is a blessing."
Allen, who registered a franchise rookie-record 10.5 sacks last season, was among eight captains selected by teammates early this week.
"I was a little surprised, but then it was like not surprising," Allen said. "Like I've said [regarding leadership] …. I can just do what I can do. I pride myself on just being a competitor, working hard, showing my teammates that I am a guy you can depend on and they put trust in myself in being a guy they can follow and someone who wants what's best for them and the team.
"I was excited. I went home and I was telling my wife how excited I was and I was telling my mother how excited I was. It was just a blessing that first day. Now, I just have to hold it with pride and put that work in for the boys. I want them to trust me that I'm going to be there every play no matter what."
