Jonathan Allen signing gives Vikings an identity for 2025

Allen, the No. 17 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, was limited to 10 games (including playoffs) due to a torn left pectoral last season. He's among the league's best defensive tackles when healthy, making consecutive Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, he finished No. 17 in ESPN's pass-rush win rate rankings among defensive tackles.

In Minnesota, Allen joins an already excellent defensive unit. The Vikings finished last season No. 5 in scoring defense (19.5 points per game). Defensive coordinator Brian Flores sent blitzes at the league's highest rate (38.9 percent), leading to the Vikings finishing fourth in sacks (49) and sixth in pressure rate (25.3 percent). (h/t Pro Football Reference)

They also led the league in interceptions (24) and finished the year second in defensive turnover rate, with 16.6 percent of opponents' drives ending in a turnover.

On Monday, the Vikings lost 2024 starting quarterback Sam Darnold to the Seahawks after he agreed to terms on a three-year, $100.5 million contract to head to Seattle.

That leaves 2024 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) J.J. McCarthy, who missed all of last season after tearing his meniscus during training camp, as Minnesota's likely starting quarterback this fall.

No one knows how he'll fare, making Minnesota's offense one of 2025's biggest wild cards. The Vikings will be led by their defense, and signing Allen gives them an even stronger identity on that side of the ball. 

It's hard to be certain about much in the NFL at this time of the year, but Minnesota's defense looks poised to create just as much havoc — if not more — this season.