Tag: Jonathan Allen

Commanders showing interest in Virginia Tech defensive tackle

Could the Commanders be looking for defensive tackle depth in the NFL draft?

For the first time in a while, the Washington Commanders have no Virginia Tech players on their roster. This offseason, Washington released starting tight end Logan Thomas and allowed starting cornerback Kendall Fuller and kicker Joey Slye to depart via free agency.

No Virginia Tech players are expected to be selected in the first few rounds of the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. However, defensive tackle Norell Pollard has emerged as a candidate to be chosen sometime on Day 3 of the draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, several teams, including Washington, met with Pollard throughout the pre-draft process.

Pollard played five years for Virginia Tech, where he played in 61 games for the Hokies, with 48 starts. He finished his career with 118 tackles, including 22 for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.

In past years, the NFL would have considered Pollard undersized to play defense tackle, but that trend has changed. Pollard’s quickness and low center of gravity make him an intriguing NFL prospect.

The 6-foot-0, 283-pound Pollard earned a 77.7 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2023, including an impressive 86.6 pass-rushing grade.

Pollard will be an interesting name to watch on Day 3.

The Commanders have starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, with John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis as backups. But, this is a new staff with head coach Dan Quinn perhaps preferring less size and more quickness on the interior of the defensive line.

Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu embraces the underdog mentality

Frankie Luvu has been an underdog his entire career, and continues to embrace that mentality heading into his first season with the Washington Commanders

Frankie Luvu may very well be the most underrated linebacker in the NFL, and is arguably the most underappreciated player in the league, period.

The veteran linebacker is heading into his seventh season in the NFL, and his first with the Washington Commanders after putting pen to paper on a three-year, $36 million dollar deal.

Speaking on his new contract, and new team, Luvu tells Touchdown Wire that the plans in store for him, as well as the overall outlook of the franchise, made Washington his ultimate destination.

“Just the opportunity and what they have planned for me,” Luvu said. “The culture. Talking to the coaching staff and everyone now that I’m here, I know they’ll know how to utilize me in every way in this defense.”

Luvu added that playing for new head coach and defensive guru Dan Quinn is something that he is very much looking forward to in this new endeavor with Washington.

“Man, I can’t wait,” Luvu said with an excited grin. “Everybody speaks highly of him, and rightfully so. You see what he’s done with the guys that he’s had over the last few seasons in Dallas, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but under his wing.”

Luvu isn’t the only linebacker Washington added to the middle of their defense, though. The Commanders signed future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner to play alongside Luvu — a move that has the former Carolina Panther very galvanized.

“Bobby is the epitome of what it means to be a linebacker in this league,” Luvu said. “How he walks in the building, his habits, how he takes care of his body, how he watches tape- what more can I ask for in a guy to come in and learn from? To pick his mind and better my mind, make myself better. Every day, we’re in the room competing, talking, and building that bond and chemistry, and it’s an absolute blessing to be in that room with him.”

Luvu spent the previous three years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. While there was constant turnover in terms of head coaches and quarterbacks, Luvu doesn’t have a bad word to say about his time in Charlotte.

“I can say I had a good time in Carolina,” Luvu said. “The relationships I built out there with all the coaches, all my teammates- I’ll always have love for them, as well as the organization and the city of Charlotte. I look at every year as a blessing. I had three years out there to build my name and build my brand. And because of that, I have new opportunities in Washington where I feel like the sky is the limit.”

Luvu has consistently been one of the league’s top off-ball linebackers. He finished last season in the top 25 in total tackles and once agin being one of PFF’s highest rated linebackers with an overall grade of 80. Despite his production, though, few seem to mention him in the same breath as the Fred Warners and Roquan Smiths of the NFL — something that Luvu himself says just adds more fuel to his fire.

“That’s just another chip on my shoulder, man,” Luvu said. “I came in undrafted and now I’m going into my seventh year in the league. I’ve been an underdog, doubted, counted out my whole life. That’s just the type of mentality I’ve had, and what’s got me this far. So when I see the headlines of ‘underrated linebacker,’ that’s just more wood to the fire for me.”

Not only is Luvu a perennial underdog, so too is his new squad. The Commanders haven’t won more than 10 games in a season since 1991, a streak that the Washington State product and the rest of the veterans on the team are hoping to break.

“I truly believe we’ve got a good squad,” Luvu said. “Having Bobby in there, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jeremy Chinn. Plus on offense you bring in a guy like Austin Ekeler, who is one of those top guys at the running back position, Terry McLaurin- we have the guys. Now it’s just a matter of us being able to put it all together. Vets like myself and those names I just mentioned, we just have to lead from the front.”

The Commanders will all but certainly be riding the hand of a rookie quarterback this season, which will have its own set of built-in challenges. However, if the team can lean on their defensive stars and whomever their rookie quarterback is can make enough plays to win games, who’s to say they can’t have ride all the way to surprising the NFL with a playoff berth?

Former Washington linebacker Reuben Foster shines in UFL debut

Reuben Foster shines in UFL debut.

Reuben Foster was once a can’t miss-prospect. A star linebacker at the University of Alabama, Foster was a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for Foster in San Francisco, as Foster battled some off-field issues and was released in November 2018.

Washington, badly needing linebacker help, claimed Foster on waivers. Then-Washington president/general manager Bruce Allen took heat for the move as Foster was released by the 49ers due to a domestic violence arrest.

However, Washington stated it had done homework on Allen, with several of his former teammates on the roster, including Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, they felt comfortable with Foster’s character. Foster was eventually cleared of the charges and the NFL reinstated him to Washington’s roster.

Big things were expected of Foster, who had drawn praise from his coaches and teammates, but in May 2019, his NFL career changed forever. In an offseason practice, Foster tore his ACL and LCL. He spent the following two seasons on Washington’s roster but would never play in a game.

In January 2024, Foster was selected by the Houston Roughnecks in the UFL draft. The United Football League was a new spring league combined of former XFL and USFL teams.

On Sunday, Foster made his UFL debut, recording six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

What a performance from Foster.

There was a scary moment late when Foster went down with an apparent injury. Afterward, it appeared that Foster was fine.

Next week, Foster returns to the DMV when the Roughnecks face the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field.

Commanders GM Adam Peters: ‘We’re not interested in trading’ Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen isn’t going anywhere.

One of the biggest questions surrounding new Washington general manager Adam Peters this offseason is what he would do with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

Allen is under contract for two more seasons but expressed frustration last season after the Commanders continued losing. A 2017 first-round draft pick, Allen has spent his entire career in Washington. When asked if he envisioned playing for another team, the longtime team captain admitted it was something he had thought about, but winning in Washington was always his goal.

At a function with some of the local media last month, Allen seemed optimistic about Washington’s future.

While some predicted that Peters could move Allen and receive more draft compensation, that’s not going to happen.

At the NFL’s Annual League Meeting this week, Peters met with the media, and he was asked about Allen.

“We’ve had some great talks with Jonathan and can’t wait to work with him,” Peters said. “He’s awesome. He’s a great, great young man and he’s a great player. And, so, I’m really excited to work with him. We are not interested in trading him.”

That’s a fairly definitive no from Peters on trading Allen. Could he be posturing? Sure, but there’s nothing to gain here. Head coach Dan Quinn was probably excited to build his defense around Allen and Daron Payne.

The next matter is Allen’s contract. He has two years remaining but no guaranteed money. Would Peters want to give Allen some guarantees over the final two years?

Regardless, all signs indicate Allen will remain with the Commanders in 2024 and could benefit greatly from playing for Quinn.

Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024

Adam Peters is slowly reshaping the NFL’s worst defense.

The Washington Commanders entered free agency with over $90 million in available salary cap space. Washington general manager Adam Peters had some money to spend but several holes to fill on both sides of the ball.

Early in free agency, Peters aggressively filled some of the Commanders’ needs on the offensive line, at linebacker and edge rusher. He even worked to shore up Washington’s special teams by signing a new kicker and long snapper.

However, Peters spent wisely across the board. There were no record-setting deals that reset the market at their respective positions. Instead, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn worked to improve the 2024 roster while remaining flexible in 2025 and beyond.

On Saturday, we looked at Washington’s offensive spending for 2024. Currently, the Commanders have the fifth-cheapest offensive roster for next season. That will change after the 2024 NFL draft when Washington likely selects a quarterback at No. 2 overall.

But what has Washington done to improve the defense?

Per Over the Cap, the Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024. Washington has significant money tied up in defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Also, linebacker Jamin Davis and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes are on first-round contracts.

To improve the NFL’s worst defense, Peters signed linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — both will start. At edge rusher, the Commanders signed Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell. Armstrong signed a three-year deal, while Fowler and Ferrell agreed to one-year pacts. Washington also re-signed defensive end Efe Obada.

Washington has almost $106 million committed to the defense in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the NFL’s most expensive defense ($160.3 million) but the NFL’s cheapest offense ($64.8 million). The Commanders currently have $82.8 million committed to the offense thus far for 2024.

Wagner ($6.5 million), Armstrong ($4.9 million), safety Jeremy Chinn ($3.9 million) and Luvu ($3.9 million) have four of Washington’s top 12 cap hits for 2024.

Payne ($21.6 million) and Allen ($21.4 million) have the second and third-highest cap hits for 2024 behind wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Could the status of Chiefs star Chris Jones impact the Commanders potentially trading Jonathan Allen?

Could Chiefs’ star Chris Jones impact Allen’s future?

Playing a game of word association in an appearance on the Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. last week, new Commanders coach Dan Quinn called defensive tackle Jonathan Allen “dominant.”

Surely, Quinn wouldn’t want general manager Adam Peters to trade a dominant player — and one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles — would he?

Well, of course, he wouldn’t. Coaches never want to trade good players. Especially players who can still play at a high level. But while Washington has preached this new regime will be a collaborative group with an aligned vision, Peters may realize that Allen’s value could never be higher — especially of the Chiefs keep star defensive tackle Chris Jones off the market.

Allen’s name has centered around trade rumors since late last season when he voiced his frustration over the constant losing. However, last month at a media event, Allen backed off those comments and said he was excited about Peters, Quinn and the new regime.

While there has been nothing official on Allen or any of Washington’s players, more speculation has emerged of Allen potentially being traded, including this tweet from Spotrac, which covers the NFL salary cap.

Keep in mind, this is not a report — it’s speculation. However, it does make sense. Allen has two years remaining on his contract at a reasonable rate for a player of his magnitude and no guaranteed money left. That’s good for Washington. It also helps his potential trade value.

If Allen is traded — which I still believe is unlikely — it could happen sometime in the next two weeks with the opening of the new league year and free agency.

What kind of compensation could the Commanders receive by trading Jonathan Allen?

If the Commanders traded Allen, what type of return could they receive? Here’s one potential offer.

Will the Washington Commanders keep or deal defensive tackle Jonathan Allen?

That’s one of the early stories of the NFL offseason after Allen indicated late last season — on more than one occasion — that he was tired of losing and didn’t want to go through another rebuild.

Since the season ended, the Commanders have hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach. Since hearing the new regime out, Allen’s stance has changed. It’s important to note that Allen never requested a trade or said he wanted out, but he answered a question that he did think of what it could be like playing somewhere else.

“I’m excited, man,” Allen told JP Finlay at a media event earlier this month. “Mr. Peters and Coach Quinn, I think we’ve done a lot of great things; we’ve brought in a lot of winners, guys who’ve been to Super Bowls, guys who have been a part of winning Super Bowl organizations. I am excited.”

Allen, 29, has been one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles since entering the league in 2017. He has two years remaining on an extension he signed in 2021, but there is no guaranteed money left on his deal.

For his part, Quinn has mentioned how he’s excited to coach Allen and Daron Payne since taking the job. What does that mean? Nothing, because the new staff is still undergoing player evaluations before turning to free agency preparation.

Next week is the NFL combine, and that’s where many offseason rumors begin. Could an Allen trade be discussed next week?

Bleacher Report recently featured a story involving five trade packages to “create the next great defenses.” One of those trades had Allen going to the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s the trade and B/R’s logic:

Trade offer: Jonathan Allen for 2024 second-round pick (No. 41) and 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 168)

Are the Washington Commanders going to embrace an even larger teardown? And exactly how discontented is Jonathan Allen?

Those answers will shape the reality of this hypothetical.

Nevertheless, both questions are fair to ask. Washington dealt edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young near the 2023 trade deadline, and Allen’s frustration hit a breaking point with an understandable midseason rant after an ugly loss to the hapless New York Giants. He recently said he doesn’t want to be part of another rebuild, either.

All of that context may lead to Washington dangling Allen in a trade, and the Green Bay Packers should quickly pick up the phone.

Despite the team’s surprise playoff bid, Green Bay’s defensive line lacked bite for much of 2023. Four different teams rushed for 200-plus yards on the Packers, which is just miserable.

Flipping a second-round pick for Allen—an immediate, unquestioned upgrade—would be a sensible move rather than hoping a Day 2 pick quickly pans out. Green Bay has quarterback Jordan Love in a low-cost contract and can open the needed cap space for Allen by moving on from oft-injured lineman David Bahktiari.

There are reasons for trading Allen. Another second-round pick would give Washington four picks in the top 41, allowing the Commanders to add plenty of young talent to both sides of the ball.

There are also reasons not to trade Allen. He’s still an excellent player and a valuable leader. The Commanders could have a quick turnaround under Quinn if they add — and retain — the right pieces.

If the Commanders moved on from Allen, they have a pair of third-year defensive tackles, Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway, who could battle for the right to start beside of Daron Payne. However, neither player is Allen.

This should be a fascinating offseason for Washington and its new leadership group.

New Commanders’ D-Line coach Darryl Tapp ready to work with Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen

Tapp is ready to help Payne and Allen return to form in 2024.

Darryl Tapp played 12 seasons in the NFL after an All-American career at Virginia Tech. Now, Tapp is coming home.

Tapp, a Chesapeake, Virginia native, was hired last week as the Washington Commanders’ new defensive line coach under Dan Quinn. Tapp, who grew up rooting for the then-Redskins, played for Washington in 2013 under Mike Shanahan.

Tapp began his coaching career in 2018, one year after his playing career ended, at Central Michigan. He quickly moved up the ranks, going to Vanderbilt in 2019, before returning to his alma mater in 2020 as Virginia Tech’s co-defensive line coach.

However, in 2021, Tapp received the opportunity of a lifetime to head to the 49ers as Kyle Shanahan’s assistant defensive line coach.

As a part of Quinn’s much heralded coaching staff that perfectly blends youth and experience, Tapp is charged with leading Washington’s defensive line room. In doing so, he has the opportunity to coach arguably the NFL’s top defensive tackle duo, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.

That opportunity is not lost on Tapp.

“It’s exciting to be around them. I’ve always been an admirer of the game that those guys put on film, like true animals out there,” Tapp said this week on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan, courtesy of Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“We’re going to do our best — me, Dan (Quinn), (defensive coordinator) Joe Whitt, and my assistant (assistant DL coach) Sharrif Floyd — to put those guys in the best position to make plays. Whatever vision of a player that they want to be that’s in their head, we’ll do our very best to help them meet that vision. That’s where our mindset is, and that’s what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

This is not only an opportunity for Tapp but also for Payne, Allen and some of Washington’s young defensive linemen. The 2023 season was a down one for Payne and Allen, but they remain a centerpiece for Washington’s defense, something Quinn has mentioned in more than one of his interviews since landing the job.

 

Bengals suggested as team that should pull blockbuster trade with Commanders

One outlet wants to see the Bengals swing for the fences in a trade with the Commanders.

The Cincinnati Bengals don’t normally go for blockbuster trades. When the team does turn phone calls into actual transactions with other teams, it tends to result in a mid-tier deal at best, such as the move for B.J. Hill (which turned out very great).

Still, it’s February and trade ideas that make sense tend to make the rounds.

Maybe the most interesting is one suggesting the Bengals should trade for Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox:

Trading for Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen would give the Bengals one of the league’s best interior defenders. While acquiring the two-time Pro Bowler would be costly—probably a high Day 2 pick at least—he would instantly boost Cincinnati’s run defense and interior pass rush.

The Bengals have $61.4 million in projected cap space, and while much of that is likely earmarked for Higgins, Allen’s $14 million base salary is more than reasonable.

Tackles like Allen are worth mentioning for the Bengals given the injury to DJ Reader before he heads to free agency and the overall lack of depth along the line.

Of course, the Bengals don’t like surrendering notable draft assets like those required to go and get Allen, even if the former first-round pick’s resume includes 39 sacks since 2017 and a bonafide fit up front.

Still, it’s a good example of what the Bengals need to address this offseason.

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6 Big swing trade candidates for the Browns this offseason

The Browns have made big swing trades in back-to-back offseasons with Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith. Who are the big swing candidates this year?

The Cleveland Browns have been on the aggressive side of the trade market over the last two seasons. Could they have names like Brandon Aiyuk or Jonathan Allen in their crosshairs this year?

Salary cap, schmalary cap.

While the Browns sit $19 million in the red, they will easily clear enough cap space to once again have an aggressive offseason. And after landing wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end Za’Darius Smith on the trade market over the past two seasons, general manager Andrew Berry has proven to be aggressive in pursuit of upgrading his roster.

And that will not change when the new league year arrives this year either.

Could the Browns take another big swing this offseason with a team floating a top-tier proven veteran on the trade market? Here are six prime candidates for the Browns to take that swing on this offseason as they look to prolong their competitive window for as long as possible.