Key Takeaways:
– The Washington Commanders are reportedly looking to strengthen their team via draft picks, potentially trading Jonathan Allen to the Houston Texans.
– Cory Woodroof of USA Today suggests the trade would allow the Commanders to focus on rebuilding while the Texans could enhance their promising team.
– Jonathan Allen has two years remaining on his four-year, $72 million contract.
– Recent draft acquisition Jer’Zhan Newton could shake up the dynamics among the defensive tackles on the Commanders.
– League executives speculate whether the Commanders will rethink Allen’s contract or entertain offers for a trade.
Article:
The Washington Commanders have been focusing their efforts on improving their roster in the offseason, most notably by securing the talent of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the draft. According to Cory Woodroof of USA Today, the team might not be done wheeling and dealing yet.
The Trade Proposal: Commanders and Texans
Although Jonathan Allen is a seasoned member of the Commanders’ defensive lineup, Woodroof proposes that an Allen trade to the Houston Texans for their 2025 first-round pick could be beneficial to both sides. “The Commanders are squarely in the rebuild mode, and having two high-priced defensive tackles on the roster might be a problem in the future,” Woodroof wrote.
The Texans emerged as one of the promising teams on the NFL landscape last season with a 10-7 record and even celebrated a playoff victory. A seasoned player like Allen, who still has two years left on his hefty $72 million contract, might be a valuable asset to the Texans’ defensive lineup. He could provide the team with a competitive edge they need to navigate the American Football Conference (AFC).
Washington’s Tackle Dynamic and Allen’s Future
The addition of Jer’Zhan Newton to the Washington Commanders through the draft’s second round adds an unexpected factor to the team’s defensive tackle setup. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that league executives are keen to see how the Commanders react to this new dynamic, particularly in terms of their approach to Allen’s contract.
Allen is due to earn $15.4 million this year and $16.5 million the next, figures that are below the going rates for top-end tackles. As a result, speculation is rife that the Commanders might choose to renegotiate Allen’s contract or contemplate trade offers, which they have previously declined.
Potential Impact on the Texans
With nine and 7.5 sacks achieved in the 2021 and 2022 seasons respectively, Allen’s statistics speak for themselves. During the 2023 season, he secured just 5.5 sacks, perhaps owing to the Commanders’ decision to trade Montez Sweat and Chase Young during that tenure.
Allen’s arrival at the Texans would likely fortify their defense, which was already impressive under coach DeMeco Ryans’ leadership last season. At 29, Allen’s experience in the league could prove invaluable to a Texans line-up that’s on the rise.
Therefore, the proposed trade involving Allen could potentially be a win-win for both the Washington Commanders and the Houston Texans, offering pivotal opportunities to both teams for growth and consolidation.