Jared Allen Officially On Free Agent Market

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates a sack during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen is going to be a free agent for sure on Tuesday.

From Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports:

"The future Hall of Famer and longtime Viking has whittled down his suitors to less than five teams and Minnesota is not among them… it [is] very unlikely they would remain at the top of the market to keep Allen.Allen is focused on teams closer to contending as he enters free agency for the first time in his career and negotiates what likely will be his final contract."

There is some thought the Broncos may be one of the less than five teams Allen may have interest in, which would not be fun. Allen,  who will turn 32 in April, tallied 13 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 34 hurries last season, but totaled a -4.1 Pro Football Focus grade.

Allen had 43 sacks in four seasons with the Chiefs from 2004-2007. In 2008 he was traded by then general manager Carl Peterson for a first round and two third round picks. The first round pick was used on Branden Albert and one of the third round picks was used on Jamaal Charles. It is safe to say the Chiefs made out pretty well with that deal.

However, the Chiefs haven’t really had a strong pass rush presence on their defensive line since Allen was traded. Kansas City has used three first round draft picks on defensive linemen – Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, and Dontari Poe – since 2008 in an attempt to replace him.

Allen is probably not a fit for the Chiefs 34 scheme but KC would fit the contender profile.