Report: Minnesota Vikings to release Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen

The high-profile NFL roster cuts just keep coming ahead of the new league year.

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to part ways with two-time Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday afternoon. With the Vikings $40-plus million over the cap, this move is not quite a surprise. He was Minnesota’s second-highest paid player ($23.8 million) behind All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson ($38.9 million).

In his lone season with Minnesota, Allen recorded a career-high 68 tackles with 7 TFL and 3.5 sacks. He had spent his previous eight NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins/Commanders.

The Vikings are expected to release DT Jonathan Allen due to salary cap constraints, per sources.

The former Pro Bowler had 68 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 17 starts. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap and need to get under, thus the move. pic.twitter.com/kz2W6alkaM

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 4, 2026

Although Allen enjoyed a strong season, it did not quite parlay into success for the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota’s defense ranked third in the NFL in allowed yards (282.6) and ranked seventh in allowed points (19.6) per game, but finished with a disappointing 9-8 record and missed the Playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons.

Allen enjoyed a prestigious college career at Alabama, earning All-SEC First Team honors from 2014-2016. He also won multiple Awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Ted Hendricks Award, the Lombardi Award, and the label of SEC’s 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. He helped lead the Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 2015 and was named a Unanimous All-American in 2016, which parlayed into a First Round NFL Draft selection by the Washington Redskins.

Jonathan Allen becomes strong free agent option for many organizations

During his time in Washington, Allen cemented himself as one of the greatest defensive players in team history. Across eight seasons, the Anniston, AL native recorded 401 tackles, 60 TFL, 45.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He seemed a change of scenery following the 2024 season, which led to his release on March 7, 2025 (signed with Minnesota). Almost one year later, he was released to free agency once again.

Allen is one of multiple prominent Minnesota players that the organization will likely have to part ways with this offseason, including DT Javon Hargrave and RB Aaron Jones. The Vikings are heading towards a very interesting season, led by a quarterback with many unknowns (J.J. McCarthy). While former quarterback Sam Darnold will be leading Seattle on a quest for back-to-back Super Bowl victories, Minnesota will be hoping that McCarthy plays to a level that makes Minnesota letting Darnold walk look a bit less worse than it already does.

The Alabama product immediately becomes one of the top free agents available.