Jonathan Allen couldn't wait to get out of the Washington Commanders. Even after the defensive tackle experienced his first real taste of success with the club en route to the NFC Championship game, a departure always seemed inevitable.
That arrived during the 2025 offseason. Allen found work almost immediately, but the two-time Pro Bowler quickly discovered that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
And now, a new report suggests that Allen may be heading for the proverbial NFL scrapheap for the second straight year.
Allen signed a lucrative contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The Commanders released him when no willing trade suitor emerged, and intrigue was high amid Brian Flores' aggressive defensive scheme.
Former Commanders star Jonathan Allen could be cut again this offseason
It didn't go according to plan. Even though his contract was perceived as difficult to get off, one Vikings reporter gets the feeling that Minnesota is going to cut him loose.
Thor Nystrom of SKOR North, citing his conversations at the NFL Scouting Combine, believes Allen's future in Minnesota is far from secure. And if he had to lean one way, he didn't think the Alabama product would still be on the roster in 2026.
"One of the surprising things I've heard is, I thought Jonathan Allen was going to be on the team next year because of [his] contract, [but] I don't know that he will be. The team is going to look into different stuff. Could they trade him? They're exploring, but it is well within play that they release Jonathan Allen. I would've had his odds of being on the team next year, I would've had it pretty high coming into this week, and now I think it's pretty low."Thor Nystrom
It's a surprising statement, especially considering the money involved. But things like this don't come out of nowhere. And typically, there is no smoke without fire.
Allen is set to count $23.86 million against the salary cap next season. Releasing him comes with just $6.53 million in savings and a whopping $17.33 in dead money. If the Vikings push this into a post-June 1 release, it becomes $11.2 million saved and $12.66 million in dead cash.
If the Vikings go down this route, that would be the smartest option. Either way, Allen's career appears to be nosediving, something Commanders fans could see coming.
Allen was among the game's most prolific interior weapons at the peak of his powers. Things declined significantly over his final two years in Washington. Injuries and disenchantment didn't help his cause, but his struggles in Minnesota suggest there was more involved.
It wouldn't be a great look for Allen if he's cut for the second consecutive offseason. And in this scenario, there is just no telling what the future might hold.