When the Minnesota Vikings line up against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 14, there’s more than just a game on the line-there’s a reunion loaded with history, emotion, and a whole lot of pride. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, now wearing purple and gold, will face off against the team he called home for the first eight seasons of his NFL career.
Allen, 30, was a cornerstone of Washington’s defense after being selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Over eight seasons and 109 games, he racked up 401 tackles, 60 of them for loss, and 42 sacks. More than the numbers, Allen was a leader through some of the toughest years in franchise history-a steady voice in the locker room and a relentless presence on the field.
But this past March, Washington made a salary cap decision that ended his run in D.C. They released him, giving him a chance to explore his options before the frenzy of free agency began.
Minnesota wasted no time bringing him into the fold, and Allen has been a fixture in the Vikings’ defensive front ever since. Through 12 games, he’s posted 46 tackles, five for loss, 2.5 sacks, and eight quarterback hits-solid production for a veteran adjusting to a new scheme and setting.
Now, the calendar has circled back to a moment Allen surely saw coming: facing the team that drafted him, developed him, and ultimately let him walk.
“Obviously, you know, I’m excited to see the guys back there,” Allen said Friday. “But honestly, I’m trying to treat it like another game. Not make it too much more than what it is, and focus on what I gotta do to help this team win.”
That’s the kind of answer you expect from a pro in his ninth year. But let’s be real-this one means something extra. You don’t spend nearly a decade with one franchise, pour your heart into it, then line up across from them without a little extra juice in the tank.
Allen admitted as much, noting that the emotional weight of the matchup has been easier to manage with time and experience.
“It’s a little bit easier that this game was a little bit farther off, and I had more time to focus on what I have to do here and not so much that game,” he said. “So, going into my ninth year in the league, it is definitely something that I am able to do thanks to my experience. But I am excited for it.”
And how could he not be? This isn’t just any Sunday. It’s a chance to line up across from old teammates, show the organization what they let go, and maybe-just maybe-make a statement.
The Commanders are a different team now. After a 12-5 campaign in Allen’s final season, they’ve stumbled to a 3-9 record this year.
The Vikings, meanwhile, are also in unfamiliar territory, sitting at 4-8 after a 14-3 showing last year. That kind of drop-off caught Allen off guard.
Still, there’s no bad blood here. Washington gave Allen the chance to seek out a new opportunity before free agency opened, and while being cut is never easy, it was a move made with some professional courtesy.
The respect between player and organization remains intact. Allen is still held in high regard in Washington, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him honored by the franchise down the road.
But don’t mistake mutual respect for a lack of fire. Allen may be trying to play it cool, but make no mistake-he wants this one. Badly.
And if he gets a sack or two against his old squad? That’ll speak louder than anything he says at the podium.