Jonathan

Allen

Minnesota lands one of the most sought-after defensive players in free agency. Allen will join a Vikings defensive line that last season had the NFL’s sixth-highest QB pressure rate and the ninth-highest hurry rate. Pro Football Focus graded Minnesota’s defensive line as the eighth-worst pass-rushing unit in the NFL last year. Allen, 30, totaled 19 tackles and three sacks in eight games last season in Washington while generating 16 pressures. He’ll be an important part of the Vikings defense in 2025.

Allen’s release from the Commanders was more about the salary cap than his performance. The veteran defensive tackle turned 30 earlier this year, and totaled 19 tackles and three sacks in eight games last season while also generating 16 pressures. He returned from a partially torn pectoral muscle to help the Commanders in their playoff run, and can still help several teams. The Vikings ranked 16th in yards allowed but were a top-five rush defense against the ground game and in points allowed. He’d be a worthwhile upgrade over free-agent Jerry Tillery inside.

Allen was given permission to seek a trade a few weeks ago ahead of his impending release. Nothing materialized and the Commanders cut ties with Allen to save nearly $16.5 million in cap space. The 49ers were in a similar situation with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who will be officially released with a post-June 1 designation at the start of the new league year next week. Now in need of extra firepower on the defensive line, Allen makes sense as a target for a contending 49ers squad. Allen missed nine games with a partially torn last year. He tallied three sacks and four TFLs across 11 appearances including the postseason.

After trying and failing to trade the two-time Pro Bowler, the Commanders will now release Allen in a move that will save them nearly $16.5 million against the cap this season. Allen, 30, suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle last season and was limited to eight regular season games as a result. He returned in time for the postseason, where he totaled 10 pressures and eight quarterback hurries in three games, per PFF, and should generate plenty of interest as teams look to upgrade their defensive fronts.

Allen suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in Week 6 and successfully returned in Week 17, following in-season surgery. He recorded 13 QB pressures and one sack from Week 17 through the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles. His late-season performance is highlighted by a Divisional Round showing against the Lions in which he racked up seven QB pressures. The 30-year-old should quickly sign a short-term deal with a contender, if released.

Allen, 30, who missed most of the 2024 regular season with a pectoral injury, is signed through the 2025 season and would count as a $22.5 million cap hit this coming season. Allen could land a short-term deal with a team in need of a better interior presence, though it remains to be seen how many teams might be interested in acquiring Allen. Allen had 36 tackles for loss from 2021-2023, and was off to a hot start in 2024 before suffering his season-ending injury.

It was reported earlier that the team “feared” Allen would miss the remainder of the season, but Quinn later confirmed it on Monday. The loss of Allen, who is a long-time vet and leader of the defense, is a tough blow to the 4-2 Commanders. The Commanders currently rank 22nd in both yards and points allowed this season, the loss of Allen could only further their early struggles on that side of the ball.

Allen is one of the Commanders’ best defensive players and he would be a devastating loss for their playoff hopes. Without him in the second half, the Ravens essentially did whatever they wanted, scoring points on every drive that didn’t end the game. Allen had 13 solo tackles and two sacks in six starts so far this season.

Allen exited in the second half of Sunday’s game and was ruled out early in the fourth quarter. The veteran lineman has been a key contributor along their interior since entering the league in 2017, and has totaled 13 tackles and two sacks this season.

Allen’s season will end with 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks in what was arguably the most disappointing season for Washington’s defense in franchise history. With one game to go, the Commanders have currently allowed the 13th-most points (480) in NFL history and could be propelled into the top five after Week 18’s contest against the Cowboys. Allen is under contract through 2025 but has hinted at being open to trade this offseason to avoid being stuck in a rebuilding year in 2024. We’re a long way from knowing where Allen will play next season, but his 2023 campaign with the Commanders has officially come to an end. In addition to Allen, the Commanders also ruled out cornerbacks Tariq Castro-Fields (shoulder), Kendall Fuller (knee), and Christian Holmes (concussion), leaving a porous secondary thin heading into Sunday.