Jared Allen Signs With Chicago Bears for Four Years

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass while being pursued by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Allen didn’t go to Seattle. He didn’t go to Dallas. He didn’t go to Denver. He didn’t retire to his ranch in the hills (or wherever his ranch is).

Jared Allen’s career will continue, but not in any of the places we sort of expected.

Jared Allen, the guy who became a big time player in Kansas City and a legend in Minnesota, has signed with the Chicago Bears.

The defensive end, who was believed to be seeking a $10-$12 million-per-year contract, signs with the Bears for $32 million over four years with $15.3 million guaranteed.

Further digging into the contract details reveals that the Bears have front loaded it with guaranteed money, giving them the freedom to cut and run after two years.

So, Jared Allen gets less total money, fewer years and less guaranteed money than Everson Griffen. Who saw that coming when free agency started?

Arguably, Allen still has more left in the tank than either Julius Peppers or DeMarcus Ware, both of whom got more lucrative deals.

For whatever reason, Allen was viewed as a less valuable free agent commodity than either Peppers or Ware. In Chicago he will likely have to settle for a role as a third down pass rusher.

Jared has balked at the idea of being used as a rotational player in the past, but the realities of life in the NFL may have caught up with him.

He took less money than he said he would take. So maybe he is now ready to accept that he is no longer an every-down player in the league.

Jared also gets a chance to play against the Vikings twice a year. I can’t think of one good reason for Jared to want revenge against the Vikings, but who knows. Maybe he thinks he was done wrong.

He wasn’t done wrong, but who knows what’s in his head. Players get funny ideas sometimes.

The Bears probably have a more legit chance to contend this year than the Vikings, but they’re certainly not in Seattle or Denver territory.

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