Jonathan Allen had nothing but good things to say about how Adam Peters and the new regime handled his departure. He was less complimentary about those who held prominent positions before their arrival.
The Washington Commanders released the defensive tackle just before the league's legal tampering window. Once it became apparent that a willing trade suitor for Allen wasn't going to come forward, Peters gave the two-time Pro Bowler a head start on choosing his next destination.
This was worth its weight in gold. Allen found work quickly, penning a two-year, $51 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The Commanders had a replacement lined up and struck with conviction, although the contract given to Javon Kinlaw came with skepticism around the media.
Allen's production dipped over the last two seasons. His exceptional leadership in the locker room leaves a gaping hole that must be filled, but head coach Dan Quinn's culture shift should ensure complications are kept to a minimum and standards remain extremely high.
Jonathan Allen wanted a winning culture after finally experiencing one with Commanders in 2024
When probed about what Allen was looking for in his new team, there was a veiled swipe at previous years with the Commanders before Josh Harris, Peters, and Quinn took charge. He wasn't interested in going back to an environment where players weren't just there for the money. He wanted to join a winning culture after finally getting the chance to experience one during his final year in Washington.
The NFL is already hard enough. You know what I mean? Nobody wants to go to work for an organization where guys are only showing up for paychecks. Don't even worry about personal numbers and the culture, just not really what it needs to be to win. I mean, it's hard to win without it. When I talked to coach [Kevin] O'Connell, coach [Brian] Flores, and all those guys over there in Minnesota, it really felt like they were building something special, and I just wanted to be a part of that.Jonathan Allen
The first part of this statement is telling. Allen was speaking from experience.
It represented a window into how things went for the Commanders before 2024. He toiled through abject misery on poorly constructed teams with inept leadership. Allen's frustrations threatened to boil over on several occasions, but the energy was restored quickly by Quinn.
Allen wasn't part of the team's long-term plans, which is fine. The production no longer matched the financial outlay, so a parting of the ways was always anticipated this offseason. Both sides were at peace with it and came to an amicable arrangement. This is all part of the business, but the respect between all parties was evident throughout the process.
Nobody remembers the Dan Snyder years fondly. They are rapidly becoming a distant memory, but the scars run deep for players like Allen. Ron Rivera preached about establishing the right culture. However, his words were hollow and had no substance attached.
Thankfully, things have changed now. The future is incredibly bright for Washington, even if Allen won't get the chance to experience it after being made surplus to requirements.
