The Washington Commanders will attempt to improve after finishing 4-13 in the 2023-24 season. However, the team is still in rebuilding mode and may be interested in accumulating draft picks. In a planned trade, the Commanders would send their greatest defensive player, Jonathan Allen, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for future selection picks.
Bears get: Allen.
commanders get: 2025 second-round pick, 2025 third-round pick.
Cory Woodroof of USA Today proposed a trade on May 7 that would send Allen to the Houston Texans in exchange for a first-round draft pick. A second and third-round pick would allow the Bears to retain their future first-round pick in 2025 while also providing value to the Commanders with two draft picks.
‘The Bears Could Use A High-End Defensive Tackle’
Last season, the Washington Commanders transferred Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft pick.
However, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department believes the Bears still need a “high-end defensive tackle,” which Allen would provide.
Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department identified “realistic targets” for each NFL team, including Allen for the Bears.
“Defensively, Chicago needs to continue building a defensive front that showed a lot of promise after last year’s addition of Montez Sweat,” the publication said on May 13. “Specifically, the Bears may benefit from a high-end defensive tackle who can contribute to both the running and passing games.
“With the defensive tackle pool nearly depleted, Chicago should see whether the Washington Commanders are prepared to part with Jonathan Allen. There is no certainty that Washington will make a deal, but some teams believe it is conceivable.
Allen signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Washington Commanders, with two years remaining on the deal. He has a cap hit of $21.4 million for the 2024-25 season.
The two-time Pro Bowl pick had a bad year in terms of sacks, recording the third-lowest total in his career last season. His greatest season was in 2021, with nine sacks and 62 tackles.
Allen would provide the Bears with a veteran who can get to the quarterback, as well as experience playing alongside Sweat.
League executives are wondering whether commanders will trade Allen.
The Washington Commanders selected Jer’Zhan Newton in the 2024 NFL draft, resulting in a “interesting dynamic” at the position, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
On May 7, Fowler wrote that executives across the league are asking whether the Commanders would be willing to deal Allen.
“Having three great tackles is hardly a bad thing, but a few league executives question if Washington will ever consider offers for Allen, who is owed $15.4 million this year and $16.5 million next year, which is below market for high-end tackles.
“The people I’ve talked to believe Washington will need to either rework his contract eventually or decide whether it will entertain trade interest, which it has rebuffed in the past,” wrote Fowler. “But, for now, head coach Dan Quinn can concoct a plan to get all three defensive tackles on the field.”
If Allen is moved, a competitive team is the best fit for the 29-year-old. The Chicago Bears are projected to be a lot better team than they were last season, with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams taking charge. Allen would give them a win-now player on defense.
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