The newly minted Vikings DTackle isn’t just swapping jerseys—he’s rewriting his legacy. Fresh off a three-year, $60M deal with Minnesota, Jonathan Allen’s here to sack quarterbacks, drop wisdom, and prove that loyalty ain’t dead—it’s just wearing purple. Let’s rewind the tape. 2017: Rookie Allen, drafted 17th overall by Washington, bags his first sack chasing down Ryan Mallett like a Friday the 13th jump scare.
Fast-forward to 2024: A partial pec tear sidelines him after 8 games (19 tackles, 3 sacks). But here’s the twist: Washington cuts him loose, and Minnesota pounces faster than a Kirk Cousins checkdown. “New regime had their path,” Allen shrugs, “but I’m here to build something special.” Special? Try 42 career sacks—enough to make any QB sweat like a rookie in OTAs.
“In the NFL, it’s very hard to play your entire career on one team,” Jonathan Allen admits, reflecting on his transition to a new chapter. “New regime came in, they had a path that they wanted to follow, and I wasn’t a part of that. So, I mean, I got to give them a lot of credit for doing me a favor and releasing me when they did, but, you know, things just didn’t work out for whatever reason. But, super excited, super, super excited to be part of this new team and reunite with Coach O’Connell.”
Culture played a massive role in his decision to join Minnesota. Allen saw firsthand what kind of environment he was stepping into.“One of the things that was very important to me when I was looking for a new team is I wanted to go to a team that had the right culture,” Allen explained, emphasizing the significance of a strong locker room environment. “The NFL is already hard enough. You know what I mean?”
He continued, highlighting the challenges of playing in a team lacking cohesion. “Nobody wants to go to work with an organization where guys are only showing up for paychecks. They’re only worried about personal numbers, and the culture is just not really what it needs to be to win. I mean, it’s hard to win without a good culture.”
When discussing his decision to join Minnesota, Allen pointed to the leadership and atmosphere that drew him in. “So when I talked to Coach O’Connell and Coach Flores and just all the guys over there in Minnesota, I—it really felt like they were building something special. They had built something special, and I just wanted to be a part of that.”
Allen reuniting with K.O.C.: More than just X’s and O’s
Enter Kevin O’Connell—Vikings HC and Allen’s old Washington pal. Their reunion? Less Toy Story 3 nostalgia, more Ocean’s 11 heist vibes. “Culture’s everything,” Allen says, channeling Ted Lasso optimism. “Nobody wants to work where guys just chase paychecks.” And Minnesota’s vibe? Think Hyvee aisles meets U.S. Bank Stadium roars. When Allen chatted with O’Connell, it wasn’t just scheming—it was scheming with purpose. “It felt like they were building something,” he grins, eyes flashing like a Vikings horn under primetime lights.
But what about the quarterback situation? Allen didn’t overthink it. “To be honest? No. I think as a free agent, it’s easy to get into the fact that like I want to go somewhere where I’m going to win, but winning is a year-to-year thing in the NFL. I mean, you look at the 49ers, they went to the Super Bowl and then they missed the playoffs the next year or whatever it was. Like, so you really can’t look at what they did last year and be like, ‘Oh, this is, you know what I mean?’ So, it’s hard. I think for me, it was the situation I was going to be put in as defensive tackle, the culture they built. And I mean, yeah, I think those are the two biggest things.”
Credit: @49ersSportsTalk
As for JJ McCarthy potentially being the starter? Allen keeps it simple: “I’ll be honest with you, I have absolutely no idea what any of that situation is going on. I just know that when we do start, I got to be ready. As far as a quarterback, I think that’s a question for coach. I would have no idea. I just got there and even if I had been there, I’m a DTackle so I really only focus on my side of the football.”
Now, let’s talk Brian Flores—Vikings DC and defensive mad scientist. Their first convo? “He wants me creating chaos inside,” Allen says, grinning like a kid handed the aux cord at a bonfire. “We know they have JG and Van Ginkle, and he was just talking about creating space on the inside and allowing our rushers to go rush. And obviously, as a DTackle who loves to get at the quarterback, that’s just a dream situation. I mean, I think that defense was already top two or top three last year. So to be able to come in and help in any way possible was a dream situation for me.”
Translation: Flores’ blitz-happy playbook is about to turn Allen into a Game of Thrones giant: ‘Brace yourselves, QBs—winter is coming.’ And why not? Last year’s Vikings D ranked top three—adding Allen’s 241 solo tackles to the mix? That’s like upgrading Thor’s Mjolnir with a flamethrower.
At 30, Allen’s the NFL’s version of a vintage sneaker—dependable, timeless, and somehow still crisp. “I got memories older than these rookies,” he laughs, referencing teammates born in 2003. “It’s funny. When I first came in the league, Ziggy Hood was a 10-year vet. And I just remember looking at him like, ‘Wow, like you were so old.’ And now that’s me… I just feel like I have so much left in the tank…it’s just weird when I’ll be talking to guys and they’ll be like, ‘Yeah, I was born in 2003.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, I got memories older than you.’ So, it’s definitely a blessing to be in this situation.”
But don’t mistake levity for complacency. With 109 games under his belt, Allen’s here to mentor like Obi-Wan: “Help them through the lows,” he insists, echoing his own bench-warming rookie days. His advice? “When it’s your time—shine. If you don’t, blame yourself.” Harsh? Maybe. But realer than a Minnesota winter.
So, what’s next? Allen’s not here for participation trophies. “Winning’s year-to-year,” he says, side-eyeing the 49ers’ rollercoaster. But with Flores scheming and O’Connell leading, Allen’s ready to turn “Skol” chants into victory anthems. His goal? Simple: “Be ready.” For what? Ask JJ McCarthy—Allen’s too busy drilling footwork to care. Translation: QBs, consider this your eviction notice.
Mic drop. Cue the Gjallarhorn.
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