The Washington Commanders are poised for a significant shift along their defensive line as trade talks swirl around two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. As the 2025 offseason begins, the team has reportedly granted the 30-year-old Virginia native permission to seek a trade, signaling what could be the end of an eight-year tenure that has anchored one of the franchise’s most reliable units. With Allen entering the final year of his contract, carrying a $15.5 million base salary (none of which is guaranteed), the Commanders appear ready to pivot, either through a trade or a potential release.
Allen has been a cornerstone of Washington’s defense since being selected 17th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. A local product from Ashburn, Virginia (where the Commanders’ training facility is located), he brought both talent and heart to the team. Over eight seasons, he racked up 42 sacks, 118 quarterback hits, and 60 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a dominant force on the interior defensive line. Paired with fellow first-round pick Daron Payne, Allen helped form a tandem that fueled Washington’s defensive consistency, even as the franchise navigated turbulent years.
Last Year’s Success and Struggles
The 2024 season, however, tested Allen’s durability. A torn pectoral muscle sidelined him for nine games, an injury initially feared to be season-ending. Remarkably, surgical findings revealed a less severe tear, allowing him to return late in the regular season. Allen suited up for the final two games and all three of Washington’s playoff contests, contributing three sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits in limited action. His resilience fueled the Commanders’ postseason run, which stretched to the NFC Championship Game.
Despite his late-season heroics, Washington seems prepared to move on. Payne’s four-year, $90 million extension in 2023 and the emergence of second-round pick Jer’Zhan Newton suggest the team has been quietly building depth for this moment. Allen’s $22.3 million cap hit in 2025 offers further incentive: trading or releasing him before June 1 would free up $16.3 million in cap space, providing flexibility as the Commanders eye a roster reload.
For Allen, the next chapter could be a fresh start with a contender. He only missed just three games from 2018 to 2023 before this injury-marred year. You’d think this would make him an appealing target for teams needing a proven disruptor in the trenches despite his age. The Seattle Seahawks showed interest before the 2023 trade deadline, though it’s unclear if their new coaching staff will rekindle that pursuit.
Oct 6, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes the ball under pressure form Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) during the first quarter at NorthWest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesJonathan Allen Free Agency?
If a trade doesn’t materialize, a release remains on the table, allowing Allen to hit free agency. For a player of his caliber, suitors would likely line up quickly. At 30, he’s still in his prime, blending experience with the physicality that has defined his career. His departure would mark the end of an era for Washington, where he’s been more than just a stat-sheet standout; he’s been a homegrown leader who bridged the franchise’s past struggles with its recent resurgence.
As the NFL offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Allen’s next move. For the Commanders, this decision reflects a broader strategy: balancing sentiment with pragmatism as they reshape a roster that showed promise in 2024. For Allen, it’s a chance to chase a new chapter—perhaps one that ends with a Super Bowl ring. Wherever he lands, his impact will be felt, just as it was for nearly a decade in Washington.
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