Jonathan Allen, the defensive tackle who appeared in 113 games for the Washington football franchise, could be in his final days with the Commanders as the first-round draft pick in 2017 might be the first salary cap casualty of Adam Peters' second offseason in charge.
Kevin Sheehan was joined by The Athletic's Ben Standig, who wrote on Monday that the next transformational offseason in the DMV may begin with Allen's release – which could happen as soon as this week during the NFL Scouting Combine.
The defensive tackle carries a $22.47 million cap number for the 2025 season but has zero guaranteed money. If he is released, Washington would carry a $6 million dead money hit, freeing up another big hunk of change for Peters and Co. to play with.
Standig told Sheehan that with the high cap hit and the lack of guaranteed money, there is reason for both sides – Allen and the team – to accept that a release is in both parties' best interest.
Of course, Allen's camp would likely be willing to negotiate an extension, but the problem for the Commanders is "Well do you want to extend Jon Allen?" Standig said. "Look he's been a very good player for them over the course of time, but we know the defense was not particularly good last year, with him in the lineup and out. Daron Payne's not going anywhere because of his contract... cap hit is just too massive for them to move off of... so they can move off of Jon Allen with a minimum dead cap charge."
Standig added that the team drafted Johnny Newton with the 36th overall pick last year, potentially with Allen's future with the team in mind.
"[Taking into account] all these factors, unless Washington convinces themselves 'hey, we want to give Jonathan Allen a new deal' which I just don't see that [as realistic]," he continued. "And again, the defense... they need more help. It's not like this defense was Top 5 and it's 'keep the group together.'
"Moving on from Allen would clear cap space, would open up room for Johnny Newton, or you go out there and get the defensive tackle that you like. I think it's a reasonable chance that he is out."
If this is indeed Allen's final days with the team, it is hard to say the franchise didn't do well after taking him with the 17th overall pick. In his eight seasons with the team, he made two Pro Bowl squads and tallied 42 sacks (118 QB hits), 60 tackles for loss on 401 tackles (241 solo) with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and five passes defensed.
The full conversation – including what to expect from the NFL Scouting Combine this week and insights on who Peters might be looking for – hit the audio player above!