Vikings Go In On Trenches, Sign DT Jonathan Allen To Three-Year, $60 Million Deal

The Washington Commanders announced in February that they were allowing two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to seek a trade. When that didn’t materialize, they released him last week, saving them $16 million against the cap. Allen didn’t waste time, though: four days later, he signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings, who were a shocking first-round exit after going 14-3 in 2024, have one clear focus this offseason: linemen. Sam Darnold was sacked nine times in that Wild Card game versus the Los Angeles Rams, losing a total of 82 yards. With their likely starter being rookie J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota doesn’t want to risk being outbattled in the trenches again.

Allen will help with that.

He’s compiled 42 sacks and 401 tackles since his NFL debut in 2017, including a 9.0 sack season in 2021, which earned him his first Pro Bowl. Despite an untimely injury in 2024, he was able to return before the postseason and help drive the Commanders’ unlikely postseason push all the way to the NFC Championship game.

Allen’s release in Washington was largely precipitated by his cap hit, which clocked in at $22.3 million per year. His contract with the Vikings, however large, contains much less guaranteed money and a relatively low base salary – so much so that the tackle’s cap hit in 2025 is just under $6.5 million.

Allen also figures to be just one in a wave of acquisitions for the Vikings, which includes guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who were signed to five- and two-year deals, respectively. In a division that became the best in football last season, boasting the first-seed Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, the Vikings have clearly committed to playing their best version of gritty football in 2025.

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Article by Katherine Manz