Bears Sign Jared Allen, Improve Defensive Line

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 26, 2014 3:30PM

Photo credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

After a series of moves that mostly had the team spinning its wheels on the defensive line, the Bears finally made a move toward upgrading their defensive front by signing defensive end Jared Allen Wednesday.

Allen, 32, played for the Minnesota Vikings for the past six seasons. In 2013, he recorded 11.5 sacks and has 128.5 over his 10-year career with Minnesota and Kansas City. Considered the top defensive end available, it appeared the four-time All-Pro pass rusher was set to join the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks over the weekend when he visited with his family in tow. But Allen left Seattle without a deal in place and the Bears pounced. Allan agreed to a 4-year, $32 million deal that includes $15.5 million in guaranteed money that keeps him in the NFC North.

This signing was feasible for the Bears at least in part because they restructured Jay Cutler's contract over the weekend, a move that freed up about $4 million in cap space.

In signing Allen, the Bears have effectively turned over their entire defensive line from a year ago. Allen replaces the recently cut Julius Peppers, while joining recent signings Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, mid-season signing Jeramiah Ratliff, and Israel Idonije, who returns after a season in Detroit. Meanwhile, Henry Melton signed with Dallas and Corey Wootton agreed to join the Vikings. Peppers signed with the Green Bay Packers. Shea McClellin is likely sliding back to linebacker, meaning only Nate Collins returns in terms of the Bears front line rotation.