Jonathan Allen wasn't out of work for long after his long stint with the Washington Commanders concluded.
Washington did right by Allen, granting his trade request and releasing the experienced defensive tackle after no willing suitor came forward. A coach he's familiar with came to the fore quickly, getting ahead of the queue and striking with conviction to secure his services.
Jonathan Allen lands in perfect spot after Commanders departure
According to Jordan Schultz from FOX Sports, the Minnesota Vikings gave Allen a three-year, $60 million deal. That's a huge financial commitment for the two-time Pro Bowler, who'll get a fresh start on one of the potential NFC contenders under defensive coordinator Brian Flores next season.
Allen is no stranger to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. He was part of Washington's offensive staff when the interior force was making a name for himself. Although his performances have regressed over the last two years, Minnesota believes there is still some juice left in the tank.
We named the Vikings as a potential landing spot for Allen. They have a decent defense that thrived under Flores in 2024. However, the team's weakness lay on the defensive front.
Adding Allen gives them another prolific performer to call upon. He's an exceptional leader who flashes dominant traits these days. The consistency that saw him become one of the league's best has deserted him slightly, but a change of scenery could be exactly what the former first-round pick needs to galvanize his career.
Allen will go from helping the Commanders to potentially hindering them. The Vikings won 14 games last season and could make another bold playoff bid once again if quarterback J.J. McCarthy is as advertised. That puts them on a potential collision course with Washington given Dan Quinn and Adam Peters harbor similar ambitions.
The Commanders wished Allen well before sending him on his way. They moved swiftly to seal his replacement, giving Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
Although the price tag raised a few eyebrows, nobody knows more about the player than Peters. If he feels like his massive frame and violent hands can excel in Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive scheme, that should be enough for fans to trust his judgment.
It'll be interesting to see how Allen fares. The Vikings are a high-class organization with industry-leading facilities — something the Alabama product hasn't benefitted from previously. This also looks like a good scheme fit as a 3-4 defensive end which he's played before.
The Commanders were right to move on. But Allen's lofty financial commitment represents a significant confidence boost to the veteran.
