Washington Football Team: Extending Jonathan Allen a needed move

Sacks never tell the whole story for a defensive lineman. Washington Football Team standout Jonathan Allen is a prime example of that.

Jonathan Allen and the Washington Football Team agreed to a 4-year, $72M extension, with $30M guaranteed at signing, according to his agency, Team IFA. Here is why the extension is a key move for the Washington Football Team, and Allen’s value goes beyond his sack total.

In 2020, Allen totaled a measly 2 sacks. That, on paper, should not warrant getting an extension with the Washington Football Team that pays him an average annual value of around $18M. However, Jonathan Allen’s value to the Washington Football Team goes farther than a sack total.

In 2020, Allen ranked first on the Washington Football Team in QB pressures (50), hits (13) and hurries (34). According to PFF’s Ben Linsey, Jonathan Allen won 17% of his pass-rush attempts. This stat by PFF takes how many times a defensive lineman wins a rep regardless if it resulted in a sack or pressure. Allen’s 17% ranked 8th amongst interior defensive linemen in the NFL.

Sacks can be unreliable. While sacks are very impactful plays, and should not be diminished in the value they bring, there are other effective ways to show how effective a defensive lineman is at getting to the quarterback. And how well Jonathan Allen performed in the advanced categories in 2020 proves he is one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL.

Allen could be more consistent against the run, but he is not a liability in that regard. And more importantly, he provides immense value to one of the NFL’s best pass rushes.

Furthermore, Jonathan Allen is everything the new regime wants in a football player. He shows up to the facility every day and just plays football. There is no fluff to Jonathan Allen. As Luke Combs would say, “What You See is What You Get” with Jonathan Allen. He is a pro’s pro, a film junkie, that says very little and produces every Sunday.

To add on, it is clear Jonathan Allen is excited to be a member of the Washington Football Team. Shortly after the extension was announced, he put out a tweet saying “Washington for life!” It is good to have professionals, who go about their job in the utmost professional way. It’s even better if they are bought into the culture.

With the extension of Jonathan Allen, Ron Rivera, and Jack Del Rio cement Allen as a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s best defenses. And to sweeten the pot, it is a deal that works out extremely well for both sides.

A deal that nets out to be $18M AAV puts Allen as the fifth-highest paid interior defensive lineman, according to Over the Cap. It’s a good reward for a cornerstone of the franchise. However, the deal should be beneficial as well for Washington.

The cap is expected to skyrocket back up in the 2022 offseason following fans returning at full capacity in 2021, for the first time since 2019. And, with a lucrative new TV deal that was signed this offseason, the cap will continue to grow each offseason. Soon, Allen’s deal could look like a bargain.

Add in that he has a $30M dollar bonus at signing, which points to a very flexible contract as the contract gets to its final stages, and it allows Washington to have the flexibility to pay its other key stars. Do not fear, Washington fans: The new deal with Allen by no means should prevent Washington from paying other key members of the organization.

With the extension of Allen, Washington locks up one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen, a team leader, in a deal that nets out to be good for both parties. Washington locks up one of its cornerstones of the roster.

Have additional thoughts on the extension of Jonathan Allen? Do you disagree with the extension or do you think it was a smart move? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!