The Jacksonville Jaguars, often considered the NFL franchise on the shakiest ground in terms of long-term stability, secured their standing in their home market Tuesday evening. The Jacksonville City Council overwhelmingly approved plans for a $1.4 billion renovation of EverBank Stadium, ensuring the team’s future in the city.
This development is a significant win for smaller markets across the league. Fans had been disenfranchised after the Rams left St. Louis and the Raiders left Oakland in quick succession. However, with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans recently securing new stadiums in their home markets, the league’s recent era of relocation seems to be ending. Fans in Buffalo and Jacksonville can now unite in their excitement, knowing their respective teams are sticking around for the foreseeable future.
However, the approval didn’t come without a bit of controversy. Jacksonville City Council Member Will Lahnen couldn’t resist taking a jab at the Buffalo Bills during the vote. More specifically, the shot was aimed at Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in comparison to Jacksonville’s pass-rusher Josh Allen.
“We’re about to vote on a $175 million community benefits agreement—$56 million in taxpayer funding, $119 million from the Jaguars, which is not only the biggest CBA ever, it’s by double,” Lahnen said. “Buffalo has a, I think, $90 million… that was the biggest ever prior to that, and I know that we’re going to work in good faith to increase it further. I think if nothing else, Buffalo already has the No. 2 Josh Allen, they’re about to get the No. 2 CBA, as well.”
A shot taken at the Bills and Josh Allen prior to Jacksonville’s new stadium deal vote @FCN2go pic.twitter.com/8IuIN4Ycp8
— ndy (@ndy_willis) June 25, 2024
While Lahnen is entitled to his opinion, comparing the two Allens might be a stretch. Jacksonville’s Allen, an incredible pass-rusher selected in the top 10 of the 2019 NFL Draft, has notched 45 career sacks and is coming off a career-high 17.5 quarterback takedowns in 2023. However, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, a quarterback, is objectively one of the best players in football. He has totaled over 40 touchdowns in an NFL-record four-straight seasons and is coming off a 2023 campaign with a league-high 44 total scores. He’s earned NFL MVP votes in three out of the last four years.
Despite the strange football-centric shots layered into stadium deals, it’s great to see that the Jaguars will no longer have the threat of relocation looming over their heads. Jacksonville’s Josh Allen will have the opportunity to show he is the best of his name when Buffalo hosts the Jaguars in a Week 3 Monday Night Football matchup next season. This renovation not only secures the Jaguars’ future but also strengthens the bond between the team and its fans in Jacksonville.
