Over the past six months, the Chicago Bears have made some significant changes to their defense, including the acquisition of pass rusher Montez Sweat and the long-term contract extension of All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Between now and the fall 2024 NFL trade deadline, might they have one more under their sleeve?
Jonathan Allen of the Washington Commanders is a defensive tackle who could elevate the Bears defense to “elite” status. Blr Report’s Kristopher Knox recently looked at a number of the top potential 2024 trade targets whose contract situations could lead to a change of scenery over the coming months.
“If Washington is willing to make Allen available, the Chicago Bears—who acquired and extended Sweat—would be a reasonable suitor for him,” Knox said in a March 27 letter. “They added Sweat last season, and that strengthened their defensive front. With Allen, they could have a truly elite defensive line.”
As the focal point of the Commanders’ defensive line over the last three seasons, Allen, 29, has amassed 22 sacks and 36 tackles for loss. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2021 and 2022. Additionally, Knox observes that Allen is “largely underpaid” following Christian Wilkins‘ $110 million signing with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason and has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract despite the fact that he is under contract for the next two seasons in Washington.
Over the following two seasons, Allen’s cap hits are estimated to be $21.4 million and $23 million, respectively. Given his excellent play, he may be seeking a larger salary. But are the Bears still in a position to splurge a lot of cash on defense?
Bears can afford Jonathan Allen, but does he fit their needs?
Allen would undoubtedly significantly improve the Bears defense’s middle line. Though Washington has divided those duties between him and Daron Payne over the previous several seasons, he is an interior game-wrecker who can play the three-technique role and makes an impact against the pass as well as the run.
But the draft capital and salary-cap resources the Bears would need to spend to sign Allen are not justified by an on-paper fit.
Over the past year, the Bears have made large financial commitments to one top player in each of their three defensive phases: Johnson ($76 million), Sweat ($96 million), and middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds ($72 million). Even though their defense still has to invest more in defensive tackle, it is difficult to see them paying a veteran who turns 30 in January more than $20 million a year.
Remember that the Bears prioritized Johnson and the offense above Wilkins, who is younger than Allen and coming off a good year, and they had the cap capacity to make Wilkins a contract offer comparable to the one he signed with the Raiders. Wilkins turned down the offer.
If the Commanders chose to deal Allen at all, they would probably seek at least a second-round draft selection. Although the Bears have two second-round picks in 2025, it would make sense to use the selections to select a younger player in the draft.
The Commanders themselves are possibly the largest obstacle as well. During this week’s NFL league meetings, newly appointed general manager Adam Peters made it clear that the Commanders are “not interested in trading” Allen. Although attitudes can shift, particularly if Allen’s side begins to press for a raise, the situation is still too confusing to navigate.
Thoughts of Jonathan Allen are pleasant. Their defensive front would undoubtedly provide dominating results if you loaded up EA’s Madden 24 and completed the necessary steps to add him to the Bears. But unlike Madden, this is real life, and the Bears have more practical and less expensive options than a high-profile trade to add star power to the center of their defensive line.
Have you heard about the NFL draft in 2024?
The Bears have made fewer draft picks in the last month. They sent the better of their two fourth-round selections to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for wide receiver Keenan Allen, and they transferred their fifth-round selection to Buffalo in exchange for guard/center Ryan Bates. Additionally, Chicago did not trade quarterback Justin for any 2024 selections.
Even still, if the Bears feel that a great defensive lineman is what their defense has been lacking, they have the financial means to add him. The Bears will probably select Byron Murphy II of Texas and Jer’Zhan Newton of Illinois with their second first-round pick, which will come at No. 9 overall. If the Bears trade back into the mid-to-late teens of the first round, both options become more viable even though they might be too expensive for a top-10 pick.
The Bears would have more alternatives to address their defensive line needs if they trade back and get an additional Day 2 pick. There are many possibilities if they drop back but remain in the top 20 and add a top-50 choice in the process.
For Heavy.com, sports reporter Jordan J. Wilson covers the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Cubs. He has previously covered sports at every level, from high school to professional, for a range of media, such as The News-Gazette, The Indianapolis Star, Springfield State-Journal Register, and Peoria Journal Star. Additional information regarding Jordan J. Wilson
