BREAKING: Washington Commanders Confirms The Departure Of Another Key Player

With general manager Ryan Poles directing the Chicago Bears’ scouting efforts across three key areas—offensive tackle, defensive line, and wide receiver—it was evident that the team had multiple issues to address in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite this, the Bears prioritized bolstering their offensive weapons by selecting Washington standout receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick.

The focus of the Bears’ offseason was largely on supporting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, which meant minimal attention was given to reinforcing their defensive line. Without Montez Sweat, the Bears’ defensive line appears lacking on paper, raising concerns about their ability to generate pressure and stop the run.

 

To address this deficiency, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has proposed a solution for the Bears.

The Chicago Bears urged to trade for Jonathan Allen

Ballentine proposes that the Bears explore another trade with the Commanders to acquire two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, a move that would align well with head coach Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme.

Matt Eberflus’ assertion that the 3-technique defensive tackle is the “engine” of his defense has garnered significant attention. This philosophy fueled speculation that defensive tackles Byron Murphy II and Jer’Zhan Newton would be popular mock draft selections for the Bears.

However, the 2024 NFL Draft came and went without the Bears acquiring a dominant interior defender who could serve as the linchpin of Eberflus’ system in Chicago.

Jonathan Allen appears to be thriving in the new defensive direction under Washington’s new head coach, Dan Quinn. Yet, there are questions about whether the Bears’ new front office shares the same enthusiasm. The Bears recently awarded Daron Payne a substantial contract extension and selected Jer’Zhan Newton in the draft, indicating a commitment to their current defensive line roster.

The Washington Commanders might not feature Allen as much

The Bears lost numerous key defensive lineman during Eberflus’ first offseason in Chicago. The Bears changed the previous regime’s basic 3-4 design and have not replaced it in three offseasons. Ballentine believes Allen may not be featured as much in the new Commanders scheme, but he might help the Bears’ interior pass rush:

Jonathan Allen, a formidable 6’3″, 300-pound defensive tackle, has a history of playing a significant snap share, with rates of 82 percent in 2022 and 79 percent in 2023. However, with the recent additions and depth on the defensive line for the Commanders, including Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway III, there are doubts about whether Allen’s snap share will remain as high and whether he fits into the Commanders’ plans beyond 2024.

If Allen’s future with the Commanders is uncertain, he may be better suited for a situation where he can continue to be a featured player. In Chicago, he would have the opportunity to reunite with former Commanders teammate Montez Sweat and could potentially command a trade return similar to what the New York Giants received for Leonard Williams.

Ballantine’s trade proposal

Bears receive

• Allen

Commanders receive

• 2025 second-round pick, 2026 fifth-round pick

The potential trade of Jonathan Allen from the Commanders to the Bears could benefit both teams. The Commanders could utilize the draft capital acquired from Allen’s trade to align with new head coach Dan Quinn’s vision for the team, while the Bears would address a significant deficiency on their roster.

However, one hurdle for the Bears is their salary cap situation. With $22.6 million remaining before the 2024 season, they need to allocate funds for signing draft picks and maintaining an emergency fund for in-season needs. While the Bears may release some players and restructure contracts to free up cap space, accommodating Allen’s salary, especially if he requests a raise post-trade, could pose a challenge.

If the Bears surrender a second-round pick for Allen, they would likely envision keeping him for the long term. However, Allen’s contract expires after the 2025 season, and he may seek a higher salary than his current $18 million average. This potential contract negotiation could complicate the Bears’ salary cap management, especially if it occurs before the 2025 offseason.