Vikings cap casualty could be perfect addition to Jets defense

The cash-strapped Minnesota Vikings are doing everything they can to become cap compliant heading into free agency, which means they're making a couple of tough releases to free up some money.

Among the bunch expected to be released, veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who, after spending the first seven years of his career in Washington, was released and signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Vikings last offseason.

After just one season in Minnesota, the Vikings are moving on, and the 31-year-old Allen is set to test the free agent waters once again.

The Jets do already have some good interior defensive linemen, but do any of them bring the pass-rush juice that Allen could?

Jets could use Jonathan Allen's power on their defensive line

With Harrison Phillips and recent trade acquisition T'Vondre Sweat now in the mix, the Jets have all the beef they need in the middle to stop the run on early downs.

Jowon Briggs showed some upside in 2025 as a pass-rushing defensive tackle, recording four sacks, but New York needs more. Enter Allen, who, despite a down year this past season, may be one of the better options for the Jets on the pro market.

With Aaron Glenn taking a more hands-on approach to the defense this year, the Jets are expected to switch to a primarily 3-4 defensive front, opposed to the 4-3 they mostly ran in 2025. Allen has played his whole career in that scheme.

Adding Allen would allow the Jets to get creative with their defensive fronts. On first and second downs, Sweat is expected to be the full-time nose tackle. But his pass-rushing skills aren't quite as developed yet, and New York needs someone who can wreck a play from the interior on obvious passing downs.

More space being taken up in the middle means better rushing lanes for Will McDonald IV, and whatever other edges the Jets acquire this offseason, be it in free agency or the draft. Adding Allen would help take some pressure off those other pass rushers.

It remains unclear what kind of contract Allen will get. As a 17-game starter last season, the 17th overall pick in the 2017 draft could find a similar deal he got with the Vikings last March. Maybe a two-year, $34 deal, one year less than the contract that was just terminated.