Jonathan Allen loving the Commanders’ new energy: ‘I’m excited to be out here’

Washington’s captain is loving the team’s new energy and weighs in on the ownership situation.

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When Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen speaks, everyone listens. Washington’s captain was one of several players who met with the media during Week 1 of OTAs last week and was just happy to be back with his team on the practice field.

“I’m excited to be out here, and really loving the energy and excited about what’s to come,” Allen said.

He was then asked about the new energy surrounding the team.

“I don’t know; it just feels different. Again, I’m excited, you never wanna get too excited before the season starts because every year, every team is 0-0, and we have a lot to prove and a lot to improve on, but I like where we’re starting at, and we’ll see what happens.”

Allen was then questioned on the team’s current ownership situation, as Daniel Snyder has agreed to sell the team to Josh Harris.

“You know, honestly, for the player, it doesn’t change much,” Allen answered. “From a player’s standpoint, we’re focused on the season. Of course, Dan Snyder owning the team, we had to answer questions about it, but it didn’t affect us as much as people may think. At the end of the day, I get paid to play double teams and rush the passer. Whoever is signing my paychecks that doesn’t affect how I’m going to do my job. It just makes it so we don’t have to answer those questions anymore.

So, does Allen think the current ownership situation has anything to do with the newfound energy?

“I definitely do,” Allen said. “The fan, honestly, are more affected than I was. I know a lot of fans were unhappy with the way a lot of things were run, so just to see the energy from the fans, you know, is just exciting. This is a great city, and I know that once we get things going and rolling, this city is gonna be on fire. So I’m excited.”

Allen has always tried to encourage fans, even buying tickets and giving them away on Twitter. But being the leader he is, never took shots at fans for selling their tickets to games; instead, he always said the team needed to play better, and the fans would come.

Allen didn’t have an issue with Snyder. But he sees the fans being excited as a positive for the franchise, and that’s something the players notice.