Faced with a decent 2026 salary cap picture, the Vikings are making some tough roster decisions before the brand new league 12 months. They’re expected to release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Minnesota will see $6.5MM in savings because of this of the move with $17.3MM in dead money, in line with OverTheCap. A post-June 1 designation would increase the savings and push more dead money into 2027, but that cash wouldn’t be available until that date. The Vikings are currently greater than $46MM over the 2026 cap, so they may have to process the move instantly to catch up with to cap-compliance.
Allen, 31, was released by the Commanders last offseason after eight seasons in Washington. He signed a three-year, $60MM cope with the Vikings shortly thereafter and can now depart having seen $23.5MM of that cash for only one 12 months’s work.
Allen still had $8MM in guaranteed 2026 salary on his deal, so he can be available to sign with a brand new team for the veteran minimum. That may strengthen his market after two straight down years. He logged just 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2024 and 2025 after posting a minimum of 5.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his previous three seasons, two of which featured Pro Bowl nods.
More to return.