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John Keim
The Washington Commanders have released two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, the team announced Friday.
The move ends an eight-year relationship after the Commanders failed to find a trade partner to take on Allen.
Earlier this month, the team had granted Allen permission to seek a trade after telling him they were not going to extend his contract, sources said. Allen was entering the final year of his deal with a $15.5 million base salary and no more guaranteed money remaining.
Sources said a handful of teams expressed interest in Allen but anticipated his release and felt they could sign him to a more desirable deal.
By releasing Allen, Washington saves $16.3 million in cap space. The Commanders drafted defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in the second round last year, and he started alongside Daron Payne during the nine games Allen missed with a torn left pectoral muscle.
That injury was initially said to be season-ending. But during surgery, doctors discovered the tear was not as severe as feared, allowing him to return.
Allen played in the final two regular-season games and three postseason contests. He finished with 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback hits.
In eight seasons with Washington, he recorded 42 sacks in 108 starts. Prior to last season, Allen had been durable. In the previous six years, Allen missed a combined three games.
Allen, 30, made the Pro Bowl after the 2021 and 2022 seasons, when he combined for 16.5 sacks. As little as two years ago, the Commanders had hoped a defensive line of Allen, Payne, Montez Sweat and Chase Young would spearhead an intimidating and effective defense.
Only Payne remains. Washington traded both Sweat and Young on Oct. 31, 2023.
Allen was selected with the 17th pick in the 2017 draft. He played high school football in Ashburn, Virginia, where the Commanders train.