Commanders give Jonathan Allen permission to seek a trade, AP source says

The Washington Commanders have allowed two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to pursue trade options, as reported by a source familiar with the situation who requested anonymity due to the team’s non-disclosure of the move.

Allen is entering the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract extension signed in 2021. With no guaranteed money remaining, the 30-year-old veteran could be a candidate for release this spring unless an extension is arranged to lower his salary cap hit of over $22 million for 2025.

As the team’s second-longest-tenured player since being selected in the first round of the 2017 draft from Alabama, Allen faced a challenging season last year after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, causing him to miss half of the season. He returned for the final four games, including the playoffs, as the Commanders advanced to the NFC title game, ultimately falling to the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

General manager Adam Peters is set to address reporters later Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He has the third-most cap space in the league to use — somewhere around $80 million — and would get even more wiggle room by parting ways with Allen.

Since debuting eight years ago, Allen has appeared in 108 games for Washington, making 401 tackles and recording 42 sacks. That sack total ranks fifth in franchise history since it became an official stat in 1982.