Jonathan Allen’s Struggles in Minnesota Highlight a Career at a Crossroads
When the Washington Commanders parted ways with Jonathan Allen, it wasn’t a surprise-it was a calculated decision. New general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn looked at the numbers, looked at the tape, and made the call: the production just wasn’t matching the paycheck anymore. With no trade partners stepping up, Washington cut ties with the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
Allen didn’t stay on the market long. The Minnesota Vikings moved quickly, handing him a three-year, $51 million deal loaded with $31.25 million in guarantees. Head coach Kevin O’Connell had a history with Allen from their Washington days, and the hope was that a fresh start could reignite the fire that once made Allen one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the game.
But that spark never caught.
In his first year with the Vikings, Allen struggled to find his footing. The burst, the power, the sheer force that once made him a nightmare for opposing guards just wasn’t there. And while his issues had started to show during his final seasons in Washington, they became even more pronounced in Minnesota.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen’s 2025 campaign was the worst of his nine-year career. He managed 34 pressures-respectable, but not game-changing-but posted a run-defense grade of just 45.4 and missed nearly 15% of his tackle attempts.
His overall PFF grade? A career-low 53.2.
For a player brought in to anchor the middle of Brian Flores’ defense, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
There were flashes. A few plays here and there that reminded fans why Allen was a first-round pick back in 2017. But the consistency just wasn’t there-something Commanders fans had already grown accustomed to in his later years under Ron Rivera and into the Quinn era.
Now, the Vikings find themselves in a financial bind. Allen’s cap hit jumps to $23.86 million in 2026, and the team is already projected to be more than $40 million over the cap.
Cutting him this offseason isn’t really an option-the contract structure makes that too costly. But come 2027, that changes.
Minnesota would be able to save nearly $18 million by moving on.
So for now, the Vikings are likely to stick with Allen and hope he can rediscover something-anything-that brings value back to that investment. At 31 years old, the clock is ticking. The physical tools that once made him a dominant force are fading, and while leadership and experience matter, they don’t hit the quarterback or stop the run.
This next season is pivotal for Allen. He’s not just fighting to justify a contract-he’s fighting to extend his NFL career. The Commanders may not have filled the void he left, but their decision to move on is looking more and more like the right call.
For Allen, the stakes couldn’t be higher. What he does next will shape the final chapter of a career that once looked destined for greatness.