NFC North team linked with bombshell trade for Commanders DT Jonathan Allen

An NFC North team has been linked with a bombshell trade for unsettled Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

Sorting out Jonathan Allen's future is among the more pressing priorities facing Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters in his first season. The disgruntled defensive tackle is currently considering his future after another campaign of abject failure for the franchise. Whether this eventually results in his departure remains to be seen.

Allen had a down year by his normally high standards. There was obvious frustration as the Commanders descended into the proverbial abyss once again. He made no secret of his desire to not participate in another rebuild at this stage of his career. Peters must get definitive answers from the former first-round pick sooner rather than later.

Commanders could trade Jonathan Allen to the Packers

Trade speculation is growing where Allen is concerned. The Commanders would need to eat a hefty lump of dead cap money to make something happen. However, there are also substantial savings attached that could add to the already vast rebuilding assets at Washington's disposal.

One potential trade option was touted by Alex Kay from The Bleacher Report. He hinted that the Green Bay Packers could make a bombshell trade for Allen. This would involve the No. 41 overall selection they acquired from the New York Jets during the Aaron Rodgers switch and a fourth-rounder - No. 125 overall.

"The Green Bay Packers will want to throw their hat into the ring for [Jonathan] Allen's services. While they've quickly started flourishing in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers could use more help on the defensive front. Even on the heels of a strong regular season finish and Wild Card round victory, the Packers still have a real need in the defensive trenches after allowing a lowly 126.3 rushing yards per game and tallying a middling 45 sacks in 2023. Allen would be an ideal solution to both issues and can slide over to defensive end in Green Bay's 3-4 front. It would likely cost the club the better of of its two Round 2 draft selections this year plus more to get a deal done, but parting with these picks would well be worth the value Allen will add to this defense."

- Alex Kay, The Bleacher Report

Say this hypothetical trade became a reality. The Commanders would lose an undisputed locker room alpha, but they'd have extra cap space and 11 selections during the draft. Six of these would be in the top 100. Three would be in the second round. Two would be back-to-back (No. 40 and No. 41) after trading Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears before the deadline.

This would be a huge loss, there's no getting away from that. Pro Bowlers with Allen's qualities don't grow on trees. But whether the one-time Alabama stud likes it or not, the Commanders are embarking on a rebuild. That changes the dynamic considerably.

Allen doesn't have many elite-level years left. Spending them on a team starting almost completely from scratch is unlikely to fill him with much optimism. If the Commanders can get an offer like this, it would be foolish for Peters not to at least consider the possibility.

It's one of many interesting dynamics to follow as the season goes on. Peters stated during his introductory presser that the Commanders have a few foundational pieces to build around. Allen could be one, but the player must be 100 percent bought into the project no matter how long Washington's rise to prominence might take.

If not, then the Commanders must extract maximum value for a player with two years and no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. Simple as that.