One of the most significant decisions new Commanders general manager Adam Peters will face is what to do with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
Allen, the two-time Pro Bowl, and longtime team captain made headlines in October in an expletive-filled rant after a loss to the Giants. Allen cooled down a day later and said he wanted to remain in Washington. After all, he’s from Northern Virginia.
Later in the season, after another tough loss, Allen appeared frustrated again. In an appearance on the “Sports Junkies” the day after the game, Allen admitted he thought of what it would be like to play somewhere else when he was asked.
“1,000 percent,” Allen said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I play this game to win, and I would love to win here, for sure. But I want to win, first and foremost.”
Allen didn’t say he wanted out. He stated he would examine his options after the season with his wife.
Allen has two years remaining on a four-year extension he signed in 2021. While he has cap numbers at $21.4 and $23 million for the next two seasons, there is no guaranteed money remaining on his contract. Allen’s numbers took a significant hit in 2023, much like the rest of the defense. However, Allen played all season on an injured foot.
Peters must determine whether Allen’s foot injury impacted his play and whether now is the time to sell on Allen.
The Commanders received inquiries on Allen at the trade deadline in October but refused to move him.
How will Peters view Allen? And what would an Allen trade look like?
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report previewed the offseason and five trades that could shape the next few months. He proposed an Allen trade to the Green Bay Packers. In return, Washington would receive Green Bay’s second-round pick (No. 41) and fourth-round pick (No. 125).
If the Commanders made this move, they would have 11 selections, including three second-round picks and four of the top 41.
The Washington Commanders are a good bet to be active in the trade market during the 2024 offseason. The team is coming off a disappointing 4-13 campaign—its worst since 2019—and now have a new general manager in place in Adam Peters. While Peters’ first task will be finding the organization’s next head coach, he’ll soon get to work on crafting a roster that can contend.
While Washington has nine picks in the 2024 draft—four in the top 67—it could use more to overhaul a pockmarked lineup. Dealing veterans to free up salary-cap space and add more draft capital to the coffers should be a priority for Peters. Due to this shift in focus, Jonathan Allen, the team’s standout defensive tackle, could be on the way out after seven seasons with the club.
Allen has some of the most trade value on the team after making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021-22. While his 5.5 sacks this year were his lowest total since 2020, he still had a strong individual season and appeared in at least 15 games for the seventh straight year.
The Green Bay Packers will want to throw their hat into the ring for Allen’s services. While they’ve quickly started flourishing in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers could use more help on the defensive front. Even on the heels of a strong regular season finish and Wild Card round victory, the Packers still have a real need in the defensive trenches after allowing a lowly 126.3 rushing yards per game and tallying a middling 45 sacks in 2023.
Allen would be an ideal solution to both issues and can slide over to defensive end in Green Bay’s 3-4 front. It would likely cost the club the better of of its two Round 2 draft selections this year plus more to get a deal done, but parting with these picks would well be worth the value Allen will add to this defense.
Peters may want to keep Allen and Daron Payne together for next season, as Washington’s defense needs a lot of work. Allen is also a respected team leader and popular in the community.
However, his value may never be higher. If the Commanders were offered a second-round pick and an additional fourth, it may be difficult to pass up.
