Allen’s career-best statistical season in 2023 came in what was then the final season of his rookie contract, with the contract extension he signed this offseason making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players.
Among his motivations entering this season? To show that his 2023 season not the result of being motivated by a “contract year.”
“For me, this year, it’s very personal,” he said. “Last year, I figured out what works for me. So for me, it’s, ‘OK. I’m glad it was at the time where I needed to figure it out, to benefit off of it.’ Now for me, it’s like, ‘You did it because of that.’ No and I’ll show you why. I found out what works for me. I’m going to double up, get better from there and improve mentally, physically and emotionally – and now I can go from there.
“For right now, I’m more mentally strong at this point of the season. It’s just going to keep building from here.”
He said, too, he is motivated by helping teammates be their best, adding that his approach to leading centers on maximizing his own ability and using results as his example.
“I want everybody to be better than me,” he said. “If you don’t know how to do it, ‘This is my process. This is how I go through trying to become a better player and it worked. If that’s what you want, come on.’ If those guys want to take the next step, ‘I’ll show you the way I do it.”’
Allen said among his goals remain being Defensive Player of the Year, winning the Super Bowl and being Super Bowl MVP.
“I got a lot of stuff in my bag I can carry on,” Allen said. “There are a lot of things that fuel me going into this year. I’m excited about year. I think we have a great team.”
- Pederson on Allen: “The challenge for any player in that position that has had success the year before is, ‘Can you do it again?’ And you have to do it again. The contract is behind him now and he can just focus on ball – and I think that’s his…
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