🚨🚨TRADE ALERT🚨🚨
Jared Allen is heading to the NFC South (via @RapSheet) http://t.co/JrB9aG6iLK pic.twitter.com/swVMfqd1lw
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2015
Former Viking defensive end Jared Allen has been traded to the Carolina Panthers, in what USA Today is calling a win-win scenario for all involved.
The Chicago Bears announced Monday they traded Allen to the Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft, according to NFL.com.
Allen, 33, who signed with the Bears after the 2013 season, was moved to outside linebacker this season in Chicago’s new 3-4 defense and the adjustment hasn’t gone quite as well as was hoped.
Allen was traded for a 6th-rounder. Bears knew he didn't fit standup OLB position & didn't want to keep forcing it and forcing rotation
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 28, 2015
The Bears also have several other 4-3 defensive ends like Allen, so it made sense for the team to trade the veteran and start developing younger players, said NFL.com.
Spoke with Ken Harris, Jared Allen’s agent. Trade began with Allen sitting with #Bears GM Ryan Pace & discussing mutually beneficial option
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2015
The move to Carolina puts Allen back on the line as a pass rusher in a 4-3 defensive scheme, with hopes he can boost the Panthers’ defense which has been hampered by several recent injuries.
“Allen is a pass rushing specialist – he rushes with violence,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said, according to USA Today. “We didn’t want to wait when we found an opportunity.”
Carolina had only one sack in its latest win over the New Orleans Saints, NFL.com notes.
Allen is the NFL’s active sacks leader with 134, but he had a down year last season in Chicago with only 5.5 sacks, according to USA Today.
#Bears OLB Pernell McPhee on reported trade of Jared Allen: "We lose a leader, a leader out of the locker room, a great guy."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 28, 2015
The Bears paid Allen an $11.5 million roster bonus this year; his base salary was $1 million.
The Panthers will pay him his salary for the rest of the season, which comes out to about $882,000, according to NFL.com. He had two more years on his contract but no guaranteed money.
The Panthers are 3-0 and are hoping to win their third-straight NFC South title.
