Jaguars’ Josh Hines-Allen Talks Name Change and Expectations in New Defense After Breakout Year

The jersey of one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ best 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 the offensive lineman formerly known as Josh Allen will wear in 2024.

The defensive end is now called Josh Hines-Allen. The Jaguars said the name change was made in “tribute to Joshua’s maternal side of the family and other relatives who wore “Hines” and “Hines-Allen” on their jerseys.”

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Hines-Allen has been occasionally confused with his previous namesake, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills quarterback will not be making any changes to his last name. He told Fox News Digital that he made the change because he felt it was the right time.

“I think it was the best time of my career,” Hines-Allen said. “And I had a lot more resources to help me get started. I didn’t know how to do it… my wife was pushing me to change it because I was telling her about it. I have a great team that’s helping me, supporting me to get it out there and stick with it… so it really made it easier.”

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Hines-Allen spoke about his “legacy” in a video posted to social media in which he announced his name change.

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

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

The NFL star credits his uncle Gregory Hines for helping raise him. Gregory was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1983 after a distinguished 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 key fumble recovery and touchdown return in a Week 18 victory over the Tennessee Titans that helped the Jaguars clinch the AFC South title, the pass rusher’s stats didn’t quite reach double digits. Hines went from seven sacks in 2022 to a season-high 17.5 last season. That impressive total also tied for the most sacks in franchise history. The Jaguars will implement a different defensive scheme this year under new coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Nielsen will spend the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons, replacing Mike Caldwell. Hines-Allen discussed how the new scheme fits his style of play.

“It’s a new routine 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 really let us play football and teach us our way, but come out here and play football. I’ve been playing football my whole life, so they’ll just let me come 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 overall feelings about the new defense.

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 etched his name into Jaguars history. He ranks fourth on the franchise’s all-time list in passing yards. His 58 career touchdowns rank fourth in franchise history.

Hines-Allen signed a lucrative five-year contract in April that makes him one of the highest-paid players he could have drafted.

“(If) you look around the NFL or any of these top teams in any sport … they keep their key players. They keep the guys who help them (build) their foundation,” Hines-Allen said. “And that’s one thing we’re starting to do now — keep our key players, pay our players … players who really worked hard and earned it. As long as we 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 some other defensive ends often line up for plays without touching the grass. But Hines-Allen usually puts his hand in the dirt — which he said suits his style.

“I think I’m a little more directional. So there’s no false step … it’s hard to false step in the three-point position. It allows me to push the ball well and know where I’m going. I also like to run from the (two) points … but that three-point position allows me to just dig deep and I know where I’m going. And if I stay on that path, then I’ll probably be in a good position,” Hines-Allen said.

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

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