The Washington Commanders might have gotten the steal of the draft in the second round, drafting defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton. Drafting Newton puts longtime Commander and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen in a precarious position. ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler reports that there’s widespread agreement across the league that the Commanders should explore trading Allen.
The Commanders selected Jonathan Allen in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, Allen has been a staple on the Commanders defensive line. However, Allen is getting older and has previously voiced his frustration with the team’s inability to win games. A team like the Chicago Bears, who are ready to contend in the NFC, might be interested in Allen’s service.
Chicago Bears Could Trade For Jonathan Allen
Why the Bears Would Be Interested
For starters, the Bears have significantly upgraded the roster since the end of last season. The only major concern for the Bears right now is the defensive line. With Head Coach Matt Eberflus emphasizing the importance of having a dominant three-technique defensive tackle, Jonathan Allen can be that type of player for the Bears. Although the Bears have a promising talent in defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, they could further strengthen their defensive line by acquiring a veteran capable of making an immediate impact. Allen is an above-average defensive tackle proficient in both run defense and pass rush ability. Adding Allen to the Bears would solidify the defense for the next couple of years and create one of the best defenses in the NFL.
I’m JUST saying… from a fit and cost perspective, the #Bears being in on an Allen trade MIGHT make sense.
This all depends on Poles’ vision — does he see the DL as something that can be patiently solved in 2025? Or do he & Flus want to bolster their 3T depth ASAP? We’ll see… https://t.co/DRDVZ8jsBi
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) May 8, 2024
Potential Cost of Trading for Jonathan Allen
The Bears have what it takes to trade for someone like Jonathan Allen. Even if he has a hefty contract, the Bears still have a lot of room left in cap space. Also, the Bears could send either a third or one of the two second-rounders they possess in 2025 for Allen. The last piece of the puzzle is determining whether Allen would take a pay cut to be in Chicago and if he still has a couple of productive seasons left in him.
The Downside
At 29 years old with a substantial salary, trading for Jonathan Allen is risky. In theory, he offers an immediate improvement for the Bears. However, it falls on General Manager Ryan Poles to weigh whether Allen’s impact justifies the trade. The Bears may prioritize giving Dexter valuable playing time to develop him as the Bears defensive tackle for the next decade.
Outlook on a Potential Trade
In summary, trading for Allen would be an upgrade for the Bears. Since the Commanders have a loaded defensive line, the Bears might be able to give up less draft capital to obtain Allen in a trade. To put things into perspective, many fans believed there was no way the Bears could and would trade for Keenan Allen. Fast-forward and the Bears only traded a fourth-round pick to acquire Keenan. So, if the Bears are serious about making a playoff push next season, look for them to be interested in trading for Jonathan Allen.
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