ProFootballTalk founder Mike Florio called out ESPN insider Adam Schefter again after their clashing reports about the Jaguars re-signing Pro Bowl pass rusher Josh Allen to a five-year contract.
Florio took issue with Schefter’s reporting — which said Allen’s new contract is worth $150 million ($30 million per year) with $88 million guaranteed — because he (Florio) was first to report that the deal was slightly less, at $141.25 million.
“(It’s not a $150 million contract. It’s not a huge difference at $141.25 million, but why use a number that isn’t the true number?)” Florio wrote in a post on X, which quote-tweeted Schefter’s report.
The Post reached out to Florio for clarification on his reporting, as a previous story by “PFT” initially said the deal was worth $150 million.
Florio explained that his website put $150 million in its initial story when reports first emerged of the Allen deal Wednesday morning.
Florio then got the full details and reported in a post that went up at 1:33 p.m. Wednesday that the base value is actually $141.25 million with an average of $28.25 million per year.
A Schefter tweet posted at 2:49 p.m. Wednesday again stated the $150 million number, which Florio said “repeat[ed] the false characterization” of the contract.
“We made it clear that it was not a $30 million per year deal,” Florio said via email. “ESPN ignored that, and apparently made no effort to confirm it.”
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Florio said he believes the issue stems from a rush for reporters to be first on the news and never clarifying the information they initially present.
Florio broke down Allen’s deal to stay with the Jaguars.
“The contract is worth $28.25 million per year,” he said. “To get to $30 million per year, Allen has to: (1) have 17.5 sacks; and (2) make the Pro Bowl or first-time All-Pro. In every year of the deal.”
The Jaguars announced Allen’s contract, but did not disclose financial terms Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Allen received the franchise tag from the Jaguars in March and was set to make $24 million in 2024 if he played on that tender.
This isn’t the first time Florio publicly called out Schefter about his reporting.
Florio took aim at Schefter for his characterization of a story involving Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in January — and explained that the two reporters used to be friends and currently don’t have a relationship.
“I want to preface this by saying there was once a time Adam Schefter and I are friends, we currently aren’t. I’m just amazed that he can get away with stuff that others can’t get away with,” Florio said during an appearance on “Bernstein on Holmes” in Chicago on Jan. 31. “I’m not saying he’s going to get away with this, I’m pointing it out currently.
“Throwing out there the idea that Ben Johnson’s asking price spooked teams with no further information, with no further context, with no opportunity for Johnson or his agent to respond to this suggestion, seems irresponsible to me. And I would get dragged if I did it.”
Schefter has yet to address Florio’s latest comment.
Allen is coming off his best campaign yet, during which he earned his second Pro Bowl honor.
In 17 starts last season, Allen recorded 17.5 sacks, a career-high 33 quarterback hits, a career-high 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception.
The Jaguars selected Allen out of Kentucky with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
