The Cincinnati Bengals have finally made a move at defensive tackle, signing former Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders standout Jonathan Allen to a two-year deal worth up to $28 million, according to Tom Pelissero.
The 17th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by Washington, Allen was someone the Bengals appeared to be in the mix for that year before ending up with John Ross. He’s since become a two-time Pro Bowler and is coming off a season in which he started all 17 games in Minnesota, registering 68 tackles, 11 QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
The 6-3, 300-pound Allen was released as free agency opened this week after signing a three-year, $51 million contract with Minnesota last offseason. He finished last season with a career-low 53.2 PFF grade and turned 31 in January, so he’s not a long-term solution. However, one cannot overlook his 34 pressures last year, which would have ranked third on the Bengals defense and led all defensive tackles (B.J. Hill was the next closest with 29).
This will also hopefully keep the Bengals from drafting a defensive tackle at pick No. 10 because of need. Maybe the best player available will be at that position, but it’s no longer an immediate need that the team could have felt forced into addressing with that draft capital.
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