Column: Josh Allen's Absence From Jaguars OTAs Should Be a Non-Story
In the grand scheme of the NFL, some things just do not matter.
Josh Allen's absence from Jacksonville Jaguars Organized Team Activities is one of those things.
All in all, OTAs are one thing that just do not hold much weight -- especially for teams that are returning 21 of 22 starters like the Jaguars. Especially for fifth-year veterans like Allen.
No team, including the Jaguars, will find success in 2023 because of OTAs. And no player, including Allen, will have their season made or broken by participating in OTAs.
What players do during the voluntary period of the offseason is their own right. There is a reason the NFL Players Association union bargained for these rights in the collective bargaining agreement. There is a reason teams come under fire (Jaguars and Tom Coughlin in 2018) when they attempt to make these practices seem like anything but voluntary.
Simply put, Allen's absence from OTA's should be a non-story. It has morphed into one among the fan base, but it is truly something that, at the end of the day, shouldn't matter.
It isn't as if Allen isn't preparing for the 2023 season, especially entering a contract year. If Allen, like a number of veterans around the NFL, have their own workout routines they want to follow during this time period, that is their right. If players simply want to rest their bodies, that is their right. Whatever their reason for not attending voluntary practices, it is their right.
And for anyone who has ever actually observed an OTA "practice", it is easy to see why some players think they can get more bang for their buck on their own. OTAs are the most meaningless practices teams will hold from an execution standpoint, with the biggest value coming in terms of mental reps.
This would mean OTAs should be much more important for first- and second-year players. Rookies like Anton Harrison need to learn the playbook. Second-year players like Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd need to continue to grow after their rookie seasons.
But veterans like Allen? Eh. There isn't much that can't be accomplished that won't also be accomplished at mandatory practices, such as the mandatory veteran minicamp set to take place next week.
It surely is an optics issue for most. The Jaguars have 88 players at most OTA practices, with the only absences being Allen and tight end Evan Engram, who technically is not under contract.
But Allen has given the Jaguars his all since he was drafted, proudly proclaiming his love for being a Jaguar during times when other plays were jumping ship at record rates. No player has given more to the Jaguars since he was drafted, a period that included the two worst seasons in franchise history.
Plus, as several Jaguars coaches have now noted, it isn't as if Allen isn't working. Allen has long been known as one of the hardest-working players on the roster, earning team captain honors in each of the last three seasons. The only year Allen hasn't been a Jaguars captain was his rookie season.
"Bill Shuey, his position coach, has probably talked to him the most and keeps me updated on where he's at and what he's doing. And he's working. Listen, he's not taking this time off," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday. "He's working and preparing himself and we should see him in here next week."
"Talked to Josh, text back and forth. Josh is in a good place," Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said on Monday.
"He's working hard. He talks to coach Shuey, talks to myself, coach Buckner, so we understand where he's at now. We'd love him to be here. But again, it's voluntary and Josh is a good worker, so we know he's putting in the work."
Would the Jaguars prefer 100% attendance at OTAs? Absolutely. They are football coaches. For them, every rep matters. But it is also obvious that the Jaguars' staff knows that Allen is working. He will be prepared because that is the type of professional he has always been.
Whatever Allen's reason for not attending OTAs, he has earned that right. He has earned the right to not be vilified in the fan base.
The Jaguars' staff don't appear bothered by Allen not being there. The Jaguars' locker room isn't bothered. So, neither should anyone else.
