Jonathan Allen came up during the 49ers’ talks with the Commanders on Deebo Samuel. While the All-Pro wide receiver was eventually traded to Washington, the sides could not agree on an Allen inclusion. Now free from his second-tier defensive tackle contract, Allen will be available to the 49ers.
As they are with Joey Bosa, the 49ers are expected to show interest, per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. Allen, 30, will likely hear from a few teams. The Vikings may be ready to explore an addition as well, NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay adds.
The Commanders had given Allen permission to seek a trade, during a Combine week in which many teams did the same. These moves regularly lead to releases, and Allen is now off his four-year, $72MM contract. He was set to earn a $17MM base salary next season, which impacted a minimal trade market. The proven interior pass rusher was entering a contract year; he can now explore the market after multiple waves of DT deals dropped his Washington extension in the pecking order.
San Francisco’s Allen interest also comes as the team is releasing Javon Hargrave. The 2023 free agency addition — given a $21MM-per-year deal — will be a post-June 1 cut. Teams cannot officially move on from post-June 1 players until Wednesday, but Hargrave is no longer in the team’s plans. With Hargrave set to follow Arik Armstead out the door, the 49ers have some work to do at D-tackle. The 49ers also have Kevin Givens set for free agency.
Jordan Elliott and fellow 2024 acquisition Maliek Collins remain on the 49ers’ roster at DT, but Allen is much more accomplished. The eight-year Washington cog has 42 career sacks, having teams with Alabama teammate Daron Payne for seven seasons in the nation’s capital. Payne is all that remains from Washington’s four-first-rounder D-line stable, as the team traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young in 2023. Allen has more Pro Bowls than any of those players, having made two (in 2021 and ’22). After posting 19 QB hits in 2023, Allen suffered a partially torn pec and missed nine games last season.
The Vikings still have Harrison Phillips up front, but starters Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery are on track for free agency. Minnesota, which has most of its starting secondary uncertain to return in 2025, saved some money by not franchise-tagging Sam Darnold. Although the team is interested in retaining the QB at a lower rate, it has work to do on defense.