It wasn't the busiest first day of free agency for the Minnesota Vikings, but it turns out Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was just saving the best for later. Minnesota did make a move on Monday, re-signing Byron Murphy and adding center Ryan Kelly, but it wasn't until Tuesday morning that the team really started to cook.
That's when Minnesota made its biggest splash yet, and one of the most notable signings of the offseason. Former Washington Commanders Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen was a surprise cap casualty and had more than a few rumored landing spots, but the Vikings were the ones who ended up with him.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Vikings and Jonathan Allen agreed to a whopping $60 million deal to bring the top free agent to Minnesota. It's a move that not only has the Vikings jumping into the deep end of the pool but gives Brian Flores an absolute menace to plug the middle of his defensive line with.
Vikings signing Jonathan Allen is one of the best moves of free agency
- Contract Details: 3 years, $60M
- Grade: B+
Minnesota lost Patrick Jones to the Panthers on the first day of free agency, which wasn't exactly a fatal blow but weakened a defense that was essential to the team's success last year. Adding Allen is an incredible overcorrection in the best possible way, as it gives the Vikings one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
Last season was a down year for Allen, as he battled injuries more than he ever has in his career. Despite that, he racked up 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits during the Commanders' surprise run to the NFC Championship Game, which is exactly the sort of production Minnesota can use.
Those durability issues are what the Vikings are betting against with this contract, too. For the most part, Allen has been a reliable presence and missed just three games in six years before running into some bad luck in 2024. What Minnesota is gambling on, and it's a smart bet, is the 42 sacks Allen had in the first eight seasons of his career.
If Allen plays a full season for the Vikings and gets back to the Pro Bowl level we've seen him on before, the $60 million will be a bargain.