The Chicago Bears are focused on strengthening their team in the 2024 NFL Draft, prioritizing offensive tackle, defensive line, and wide receiver positions. With the No. 9 pick, they selected standout receiver Rome Odunze from Washington. Their primary goal was to support rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, leading to minimal improvements on their already weak defensive line. Without Montez Sweat, their defensive line is among the league’s worst. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report proposes a solution: trading for two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders.
Ballentine suggests the Bears target Allen to fit head coach Matt Eberflus’ scheme, where the 3-technique defensive tackle is considered the “engine” of the defense. Despite popular mock draft picks like Byron Murphy II and Jer’Zhan Newton, the Bears still lack a dominant interior defender to make Eberflus’ system effective. Meanwhile, Allen appears to be adapting well to Washington’s new defensive direction under head coach Dan Quinn, but his role in the new system remains uncertain.
The Commanders have invested heavily in their defensive line, including a significant contract extension for Daron Payne and the drafting of Jer’Zhan Newton. This raises questions about Allen’s future with the team. The Bears, having lost several key defensive linemen and struggling to replace their old 3-4 base scheme, could benefit significantly from Allen’s presence. Allen’s consistent performance, with an 82% snap share in 2022 and 79% in 2023, indicates his reliability and value.
Ballentine’s trade proposal suggests the Bears offer a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick for Allen. This deal would provide the Commanders with valuable draft capital to support Dan Quinn’s vision and address the Bears’ most pressing roster issue. However, the Bears face a salary cap challenge, with $22.6 million remaining before the 2024 season. They need to sign draft picks and maintain an emergency fund, which may require cutting players and restructuring contracts to accommodate Allen’s salary, especially if he demands a raise post-trade.
If the Bears acquire Allen, they would likely aim to retain him long-term. His current contract expires after the 2025 season, and he is expected to seek a substantial salary increase from his current $18 million average, likely before the 2025 offseason. This trade could reunite Allen with former teammate Montez Sweat and significantly enhance the Bears’ defensive capabilities.
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