The Bengals are adding a veteran defensive tackle.
According to multiple reports, Jonathan Allen has agreed to a two-year deal with Cincinnati.
The initial numbers indicate Allen’s contract is worth a maximum of $28 million with incentives.
Allen, 31, had spent his first eight seasons with Washington before signing a three-year deal with Minnesota last offseason. he was subsequently released by the Vikings earlier this week.
In 2025, Allen started all 17 games for Minnesota, recording 68 total tackles with seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Allen has registered 45.5 sacks, 67 tackles for loss, and 129 QB hits over the course of his career.
Yes, quarterback Kyler Murray will visit the Vikings on Thursday — his agent, Erik Burkhardt, has confirmed that to NFL Media.
But here’s the interesting twist, via Tom Pelissero of NFL Media: Burkhardt told him that Murray plans to meet by Zoom on Wednesday night and Thursday with executives from three to five teams that potentially have a quarterback need in 2027.
Possibilities (as we see it) include the Jets, the Steelers, the Browns, the Falcons, and the Rams.
It gives Murray an opportunity to get a head start on free agency next year, which underscores the likelihood he’ll sign a one-year, $1.3 million deal for 2026.
That makes a no-tag clause critical. He needs to be able to hit the market next year, if for whatever reason he plays well and doesn’t get a solid offer to stick around with the Vikings, or whoever he signs with.
The Vikings continue to be the clear favorite. There’s really no one else. And, as of last season near the trade deadline, the Vikings were one of the teams in which Murray was interested.
Quarterback Kyler Murray is currently a free agent. That may not last long.
John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM in Phoenix reports that Murray will visit the Vikings on Thursday.
From Gambadoro’s tweet: “A starting spot is a priority, and Minnesota does offer that and a deal could be done in the next 24 hours. But Murray and his camp are expected to explore several options as a backup in 2026 for teams that could need a starting QB in 2027 over the next 24 hours.”
One team that has interest in Murray as a backup for 2026, we hear, is the Rams. And with Matthew Stafford on a year-to-year plan, L.A. could need a starter by 2027.
Still, as immediate starting options go, the Vikings present the best opportunity. Unless the Steelers snap out of their Aaron Rodgers 2.0 fever dream.
Murray’s appeal, beyond his skills, comes from his availability at only $1.3 million for 2026. He should insist on a no-tag clause for 2027, so that he’ll have maximum leverage if he plays in 2026 like he did in the early years of his career.
It didn’t take long for Javon Hargrave to find a new team.
According to multiple reports, Hargrave will has agreed to a two-year deal with the Packers.
The initial numbers indicate Hargrave’s deal is worth $23 million, with $13 million in 2026.
Word emerged earlier this month that the Vikings planned to release Hargrave after one year with the club. He appeared in 16 games with 15 starts in 2025, recording 52 total tackles with four tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 3.5 sacks.
Hargrave was released on Wednesday.
A third-round pick in the 2016 draft, Hargrave has played 146 career games with 130 starts for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Minnesota. He’s tallied 49.0 career sacks with 59 tackles for loss and 85 QB hits in his 10 seasons.
When the Vikings announced the previously reported releases of defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on Wednesday, they also announced a procedural move involving safety Harrison Smith.
Smith was not under contract for the 2026 season, but the team has designated him as a post-June 1 cut in order to spread the cap hit remaining on void years of his contract over the next two seasons. The move will provide the team with $1.3 million in cap savings this summer.
The Vikings’ announcement notes that Smith has not made any decision about playing in 2026 at this point.
Smith said in December that a decision about playing a 15th season will “handle itself when it does.” He had 54 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the 2025 season.
