The Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs made it official Tuesday night, agreeing that defensive end Jared Allen will go to the Vikings in exchange for Minnesota's first-round pick (No. 17) and two third-round picks (73rd and 82nd).But they did more than just that. The Vikings also signed Allen to one of the largest contracts in NFL history, a six-year, $74 million deal with $31 million in guarantees. And that's just too much salary cap space to tie up in one player.
Allen is a very good defensive end, and he's only 26 years old, and he'll make the Vikings' defense better for years to come. But he won't make the Vikings' defense so much better that he can justify taking up more than 5% of the salary cap every year.
These are the contracts that hurt teams' depth. The Vikings would be better off adding the 17th, 73rd and 82nd best players in this year's draft, and getting them for a combined cost of less than what they're paying Allen.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-23-2008 @ 9:35AM
Primetime said...
Look...this represents the owners idea of "win now" and they are sick of doing the normal because frankly, it doesnt work.
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4-23-2008 @ 9:54AM
Marcus said...
This is a rediculous comment. As a vikings fan I have seen them draft 6 DE's in the first round since they drafted Chris Doleman. Not one of those players have EVER recorded double digit sacks. The vikings have a great run defense but their pass D is one of the worst because they have zero pass rush. There defense just became a top 5 defense. Along with the best running game in football, they are at worst a playoff team. At best (totally dependent on T. Jackson) they are superbowl contenders. To suggest that they should have stuck with the unknowns they would have got at 17, 73, and 82 is rediculous.
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4-23-2008 @ 10:04AM
Al Michaels said...
The 17th, 73rd and 82nd players in the draft would not have as big of an impact on the 2008 season as Jared Allen will.
This is a great move for the Vikings. As a Packers fan, I think the balance of power just shifted in the division.
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4-23-2008 @ 10:12AM
Dustin said...
As a Chiefs fan i must say that without Jared Allen, I no longer have reason to live.
Screw you Carl Peterson. KC heart 69
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4-23-2008 @ 10:28AM
Dustin said...
OVERPAY? you are out of your mind. this guy can hogtie a hurricane... by himself! maybe him and a certain coach ditka.
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4-23-2008 @ 10:27AM
Peter said...
I don't blame you for being upset, Dustin. KC will rise from the ashes again, but it might be 3-4 years before they're seriously competitive.
I don't think the Vikings have overpaid (in cash or compensation) for Allen. This is an awesome move and will hlpe bring Minnesota double digit victories this next season. If TE Jeff Davis falls to them in the 2nd round of the draft, I think I will have to consider this off season a complete success (unless, of course, T. Jack has a terrible season and the QB position loses multiple games for the Purple this year).
If T. Jack can keep developing and playing smarter, I think MN wins the NFC North this year.
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4-23-2008 @ 10:38AM
Josh said...
well 74 million is a lot of money, but im so happy right now because as long as T jack does ok, we are going to be in the playoff's
but when u think about it i think the biggest winner in this trade is gonna be ray edwards, everyone is gonna be so busy trying to stop the williams and allen, that he can just get in there and bust up plays
kampman does teh same thing for KGB
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4-23-2008 @ 11:04AM
tally said...
( CARL PETERSON ) YES SIR HEAD COACH HERM EDWARDS, AND ANYONE WHO STILL BELIVES IN( KING CARL ). SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED LONG AGO. I CAN'T EXPRESS THE FEELINGS I HAVE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO THE CHIEFS. THEY SHOULD BE TARED AND FETHERED, COMPLETLELY RUN OUT OF K. C. MO. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MARTY BACK. AT LEAST HE KEPT THE SEATS FILLED. HOW MANY HOME GAMES WILL BE SHOWN IN K, C. THIS YEAR??????????????
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4-23-2008 @ 1:08PM
mathesond said...
Will he still count against the cap if he's suspended for a 3rd DUI?
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4-23-2008 @ 3:18PM
philip millls said...
YES GREAT MOVE VIKES WE HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH YEARS OF NO PASS RUSH. AND THEY WOULD NOT OF GOT THAT KIND OF TALENT WITH THOSE PICKS. IF HE STAYS CLEAN WITH OUR DT COULD BE A GREAT DEF
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4-23-2008 @ 4:44PM
Mo Mike said...
Minnesota fans should be scared to death. Allen was in trouble in High School, lost one D1 scholarship before he even got to school, went to a 2nd D1 school, go in throuble again and lost his scholarship then went to a D2 school where he got into trouble again. Why do you think a D2 school would get a player of Allen's ability? Then he gets drafted by KC and gets 2 DUIs and in all of his wisdom opens a restaurant and bar this past off season. Allen was pissed off at the Chiefs because they franchised him (poor Allen .... $9 million a year) Why did the Chiefs franchise him? Because they are waiting for the 3 shoe to fall once again (3rd DUI). Why was Allen pissed about being franchsed? Because he knows that sooner or later he will get caught again and then he will sit out a year and not have any guaranteed money. The Chiefs will really miss Allen ... he was fun to watch and is a fan favorite . But how can you invest $30 million in guaranteed money to a player who has been in trouble everywhere he goes. He isn't dnagerous and he doesn't do drugs but he certainly can drink and drive and from what I know about Minnesota ... you guys really like your beer. Have one on us and I hope Allen works out for you.
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4-23-2008 @ 5:03PM
Jason S. said...
Interesting how the Vikes would drop Koren Robinson because of his legal transgressions associated with alcoholism, but they'll guarantee all this money to another guy with alcohol-related issues.
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4-23-2008 @ 7:00PM
MJ said...
It would have been ridiculous for the Chiefs to pay this guy this guy $12 million a year while they are rebuilding for 2 or 3 years. Would be a total waste of money.
Jared is an awesome player and I wish him all the best. But considering the compensation the Chiefs got, this was a good deal.
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4-23-2008 @ 8:19PM
jokendaved said...
OVERPAID!!!!! Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black Smith?
This was an awsome deal for both sides, if you know football.
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4-23-2008 @ 11:19PM
elvis in kc said...
OK heres the real deal on Jared Allen: Yeah, he's been overpaid, and heres some reasons why.The Chiefs were 4-12! A lot of his sacks were junk sacks, and he never changed the outcome of a game, thats the sign of a superstar. He missed 2 games last year and I can't help wonder what would have happened if he had been there for us! He also had NO sacks in the 4th quarter! Win the sack title 2 yrs in a row and I will shut up. Having said that, the chiefs org. is so poorly run I dream of the day King Carl and Herm are gone!
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4-24-2008 @ 3:48PM
Whosetalkingnow said...
Who were the Vikings supposed to select at 17? Another Erasmus James, Keneche Udeze, Talance Sawyer or maybe another Underwood? Do some research on a team before you write an article. If you dont like the Vikings, then pass on the story. Its been 30 years and all we've had is Chris Doleman. We would have used our first selection a DE anyway and we would have reached. We got one of our 3rd's from Denver so in reality its only one 3rd pick of ours that we gave up. Next years cap will raise again and this contract will look good compared to some. Plus every good player gets mad and threatens to sit out if they dont get more money. Not to mention the Vikes put a clause in the contract if Allen gets in trouble by March '09 then they are void of half the gaurenteed money. I appreciate the Org. showing that they are not happy with the current Def and finally want to try to solve the DE drought we've had in MN. Now if you want to write about someone overpaying...go write about the Cowboys tradeing anything for that idiot Pacman Jones. One dollar is too high of a contract for this criminal.
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