Chicago Bears trade Jared Allen to Carolina for draft pick
The loss of Jared Allen won't be very noticeable on a Chicago Bears defense he struggled to fit into as an outside linebacker. That was after playing his first 11 NFL seasons as a defensive end.
Allen, the NFL's active career sacks leader with 134, was traded to the Carolina Panthers on Monday for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft. Fox's Jay Glazer had the story first, and the Bears confirmed it a short while later.
"We had some depth at the linebacker position and were able to reach an agreement with the Panthers to bring a 2016 draft pick to our team in exchange for Jared Allen," said Bears general manager Ryan Pace. "Whether it is acquiring additional picks or signing players, we will continue to be aggressive in finding ways to improve our football team.
"We appreciate Jared's contributions and wish him the best in Carolina."
Allen started all three games this season but had just 6 tackles, including 1 Sunday at Seattle against the Seahawks.
The 33-year-old Allen has no sacks this year and had just 5½ in 19 games with the Bears after signing a four-year, $32 million contract as an unrestricted free agent in March 2014 that included $15.5 million guaranteed.
Allen's 5½ sacks last season were a career low and came on the heels of seven straight double-digit sack seasons, during which he averaged 14 a season.
That deal was orchestrated by former general manager Phil Emery, but Allen clearly did not have a future in the new regime and in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense, which necessitated the position change.
The Bears already have paid Allen $11.5 million this year as a roster bonus but will save the prorated portion of his $1 million base salary. He was scheduled to earn an $8.5 million base salary in 2016 and an $8 million base in 2017, but he had no more guaranteed money coming.
Allen was paid $3 million last year, all in base salary.
Despite minimal pass-rush input from Allen, the Bears had their first 4 sacks of the season Sunday against Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, 2 each by defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. Both spoke to the media late Monday afternoon at Halas Hall and claimed they had not been informed that Allen was history.
"Um, I didn't even know he was gone. Is he gone?" McPhee said when asked what the defense would be missing without Allen.
"We lose a leader, we lose a great guy, a great teammate. A guy who's got a lot of jokes to tell us and make us laugh. But I'm pretty sure wherever he goes, he's going to make the best of it."
Allen's departure creates more opportunities for younger players who could be part of the Bears' future, such as Sam Acho (27) and Lamarr Houston (28). But neither appear to be a difference-makers.
Acho missed the season opener with an illness and has 3 tackles in two games as a backup. Houston, who has subbed in all three games, has 2 tackles, but he had 2 quarterback hits against Seattle.
Willie Young, 30, was last year's sack leader with 10 and has made the same position switch as Allen. But he is coming off a December Achilles injury and was inactive Sunday.
Although it may not show in the stats, Allen's experience will be missed, according to McPhee, who has been outstanding the past two weeks with a total of 7 quarterback hits.
"He knew the game," McPhee said. "He prepared himself well. He took care of his body. Sometimes when I'd be on the field, and when I didn't see certain plays coming to me, he'd (say), 'Hey, watch out for this.' It was a great experience overall playing with him."
Jenkins, whose 2 sacks Sunday matched his career total for the previous four seasons, also said Allen's veteran presence will be missed.
"With me, playing on his side, he gave me pointers on how to rush," Jenkins said. "He can break down and critique every spot on the defensive line. He gives you an edge. He's definitely going to be missed."
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