According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings are signing former Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler, to a three-year, $60 million deal. The Commanders recently released Allen, freeing up an estimated $16.5 million in salary cap space.
Former #Commanders Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen is signing with the #Vikings on a 3-year, $60M
per me and @TomPelissero. Huge.Deal done by @blakebaratz of @TeamIFA. pic.twitter.com/4HgrcF7hvI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers were reportedly interested in adding Allen in free agency but couldn't compete with the massive offer he received. The 49ers had previously explored acquiring Allen as part of the Deebo Samuel trade. However, the defensive lineman's salary derailed his inclusion in the deal, and the 49ers instead settled for a fifth-round draft pick instead in exchange for the wide receiver.
Allen (6-3, 300) missed most of the 2024 season with a partially torn left pectoral muscle but returned in Week 17. He finished the year with 19 tackles (three for a loss), seven quarterback hits, and three sacks, per Pro Football Reference.
Allen's performance has declined in recent seasons. His 56.0 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024 was a career low, and his 42.2 run-defense grade ranked as the second-worst mark of his career.
However, just a few years ago, he was one of the league's top interior defenders. Between 2021 and 2022, Allen racked up a combined 127 tackles and 16.5 sacks, earning a career-high 84.9 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021.