Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Commanders shopping two-time Pro Bowl DT

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 10:53 AM ET

The Washington Commanders were the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL season, finishing with a record of 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship game for the first time in 34 years.

After such a successful campaign, every team member might want to stay and try to recapture that magic in 2025.

That is not the case, as it has been reported that Washington has permitted defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to explore trade options.

#Commanders DT Jonathan Allen — who has one year remaining on his deal — was informed by the franchise that he has permission to seek a trade, per sources. pic.twitter.com/y53zRRasjr
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 25, 2025

Allen has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Commanders, but he will likely spend his ninth season with a new team.

In 2021, Allen signed a four-year extension worth $72 million. He is scheduled to make $15.5 million in 2025, the highest amount of any year of the extension he signed.

Allen's best season came in 2021; after he signed his extension, he put up a career-best in sacks, QB hits and games played.

Jonathan Allen has been one of the league’s most productive DTs in recent years

Allen ranks Top 10 among DTs over the last four seasons in:

Total tackles: 199 (10th)
Solo tackles: 121 (5th)
Sacks: 25.0 (9th)
Pressures: 179 (7th)
Tackles for Loss: 39 (7th) https://t.co/MTFyNVgRXc pic.twitter.com/u3AgCniOW8
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 25, 2025

A few teams make sense as potential trade partners with Washington.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are still looking to fill the void after Aaron Donald's departure in 2023.

Los Angeles already has two stud defensive ends in Braden Fiske and Jared Verse. Allen could slide between the two of them and give the Rams one of the best defensive lines in all of football.

Chicago Bears

The Bears and Commanders have been recent trade partners. Just last season, Washington sent former defensive end Montez Sweat to Chicago.

Chicago has plenty of cap space and could take on the last season of Allen's contract and potentially negotiate an extension.

Trade: Commanders and Bears have agreed to a trade that is expected to send DE Montez Sweat to the Chicago for a 2024 second-round pick, per sources. Sweat is in the last year of his contract, and the Commanders are opting for a draft pick now. Chicago beefs up its line. pic.twitter.com/Hd7jtqDtWY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2023

It is unclear how many teams are interested in Allen, but it's difficult to imagine that there won't be a line of teams out the door calling Washington and hoping to upgrade their defense.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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