Jared Allen continues to be on the sideline as other veteran pass rushers are signed and given trunkloads of gold and booty.
Julius Peppers just signed a 3-year deal with the Packers (that’ll go over well in Chicago) worth up to $30M in incentives and has $7.5M guaranteed.
This comes on the heels of Denver inking former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware to a 3-year, $30M deal with $20 guaranteed.
Peppers & Ware set the market, but then you have other veteran edge rushers like Justin Tuck settling for a 2-yr, $11M deal from the Raiders after being low-balled by the Giants.
Julius Peppers is 34 years old. DeMarcus Ware will be 32 at the start of the season, just like Jared.
If durability’s an issue, the last time Jared missed a game due to injury was his rookie year in 2004.
If production’s an issue, Jared’s had 56.5 sacks in the past 4 seasons. More than both Peppers (38) and Ware (52.5).
Reports say Jared had the exact same offer from the Broncos on the table, but wanted to see who else would come available. Ware was cut on Tuesday.
There had also been links between Jared Allen and the Packers but they (thankfully) fizzled out.
There’ve been rumors that Jared would consider retirement if he doesn’t get “fair market value”. With the Ware & Peppers deal, he may assume $10M is that fair value (he made $14M in 2013), even though Tuck’s deal may be more reality.
Either way, I hope Jared gets an opportunity to chase a ring (Seattle, New England) or get paid (Dallas).
What If
But what IF none of those happen and Jared is still sitting on the market in a week or two. Not being woo’ed. Not getting an offer on the Peppers/Ware level.
Mike Zimmer likes to rotate his d-linemen to keep them fresh, Rick Spielman mentioned as much this week.
What IF Rick throws a little 2-year, $14M deal out there to Jared’s camp. It’s not the top of the market money, but it’s still a healthy offer for a defensive end on the downside of 30. It’s more than Tuck’s ($5.5M per) and slightly less than the youthful Everson’s ($8.5M).
The divorce was amicable on both sides a few weeks ago, maybe mommy and daddy get back together for the kids? (We the fans the kids in this analogy).
Jared wouldn’t start, Everson would have to with that money, but JA could rotate in on certain packages. Keep him fresh by not grinding against the run, toss him in on passing situations and let him go hunt.
He retires as a Viking and both sides walk off into the sunset. Hopefully with a Lombardi or two in tow.
It’s a pipe dream and it probably won’t happen, but stranger things have happened with the Minnesota Vikings.
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