Jaguars’ Josh Hines-Allen talks name change and expectations for new defensive system after big year

The jersey of one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ star players looked a little different when the NFL preseason began last month.

The exhibition games gave fans a chance to get used to the name on the back of the jersey that the pass rusher formerly known as Josh Allen will wear in 2024.

The defensive end is now named Josh Hines-Allen. The Jaguars said the name change was done as a “tribute to Joshua’s maternal side of the family and the other relatives who have worn ‘Hines’ and ‘Hines-Allen’ on their jerseys.”

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Hines-Allen was sometimes confused with his former namesake, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills quarterback will not change his name. He told Fox News Digital that he made the change because he felt the time was right.

“I think it was the best time of my career,” Hines-Allen said. “Plus, I had a lot more resources to help me get started. I didn’t really know how to do it… my wife was pushing me to change because I had been telling her about it. I have a great team that helps me, supports me to make it happen and keep me going… so it was really easy for me to do it.”

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Hines-Allen spoke about her “legacy” in a social media video when she announced her name change.

“The legacy is forever and I’m proud to wear that tradition on the back of my jersey, following in the footsteps of my family who have carried the Hines-Allen name with such pride and joy,” said the 27-year-old. “My name has changed, but I’m still that person. And I’ll continue to play like that, playing even better.”

The sister of Jaguars defender Myisha Hines-Allen, WNBA player, has used the Hines-Allen surname for years. Her other sisters, Kyra and LaTorri, both played college basketball and also used the Hines-Allen surname.

The NFL star credits his uncle Gregory Hines with helping raise him. Gregory was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1983 after a standout career at Hampton University. Hines-Allen’s other uncle, Keith Hines, played basketball at Montclair State.

While Hines-Allen’s 2022 campaign will likely be remembered for his crucial fumble recovery and touchdown return in the Week 18 win over the Tennessee Titans that helped secure the AFC South title for the Jaguars, the pass-rusher’s stats fell short of the double-digit mark. Hines went from seven sacks in 2022 to a career-best 17.5 last season. The impressive number also marked the most sacks in franchise history. The Jaguars will implement a different defensive scheme this year under new coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Nielsen spent the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons, replacing Mike Caldwell. Hines-Allen talked about how the new scheme fits his style of play.

“This is a new scheme for me,” he told Fox News Digital. “So for me… just let us be ourselves. I think we have a good coaching staff that will allow us to really play ball and teach us their way, but go out here and play ball. I’ve played ball my whole life, so they’re just going to allow me to go out here and play freely and make as many plays as I can for this team.”

“I love it,” Hines-Allen said when asked about his feelings on the new defense in general.

In June, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence agreed to a historic five-year contract extension with the franchise. The 24-year-old was the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lawrence has already added his name to the Jaguars’ history books. He is fourth on the franchise’s all-time passing yards list. His 58 career touchdown passes rank fourth in franchise history.

Hines-Allen earned his own lucrative contract extension in April, agreeing to a five-year deal that made him one of the highest-paid players of his choosing.

“If you look at the NFL or all these top-tier teams in any sport, they keep their core players. They keep the players that help them build their foundation,” Hines-Allen said. “And that’s something we’re starting to do now: keep our core players, pay our players — players who worked really hard to get there and deserve it. As long as we continue to build around that personnel, around that culture, we’ll get to where we need to be.”

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and other defensive ends often line up for a play without putting their hands in the turf. Hines-Allen, however, typically puts his hand in the dirt, which he says fits his style.

“I think I’m a little bit more directional. So there’s no missteps… it’s hard to misstep in a three-point stance. That allows me to get good momentum off the ball and know where I’m going. I also like to run out of the two-point stance… but that three-point stance allows me to dig deep and I know where I’m going. And if I stay on that track, I’m more likely to put myself in a good position,” Hines-Allen said.

He was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Jaguars rewarded Hines-Allen in April with a five-year contract extension.

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