Earlier this week, the NFL revealed the 2025 salary cap increase—well, sort of. They gave us a range as they’re waiting on the NFL Player’s Association to determine what to do with some funds before solidifying the number. Regardless, the increase is substantial; at least a $22 million increase is expected.
The Washington Commanders already had a decent amount of capital this offseason, so the increase only gives them more room to pay the guys they want to keep. Still, you can’t always keep everyone, and some players will still get cut because of their impact on the salary cap. According to The Athletic, one of those players is defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
One season remains on Allen’s four-year, $72 million extension. The terms included a $22.47 million salary-cap hit but only a $6 million dead-cap charge. Washington has significant cap room regardless, but it also has DT Daron Payne counting north of $20 million and an Allen replacement in 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton on the roster. Allen’s streak of healthy seasons ended with a pectoral tear, though he surprisingly returned before the playoff run. His power and pass rushing would be missed. However, his sack totals have declined annually since recording nine in 2021, and he is entering his age 30-season. — Ben Standig
Allen was drafted by the Commanders in 2017 and has stuck with this team through all of the drama, including the Dan Snyder fallout. He’s been on his fourth head coach since being drafted. If we’re being honest, he survived the Ron Rivera era, and that alone is worth something.
At the beginning of the season, Allen was re-energized and ready to take on the NFL behind Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels. Then he got injured, tore his pec and missed half of the season. In the eight games he played, Allen recorded 19 tackles (16 solo) and three sacks.
Allen is in the final year of his contract and will have a cap hit of over $22 million. If the Commanders cut him before June 1, the cap hit will be reduced to $6 million, saving the team $16 million.
The real question here is whether the Commanders actually cut Allen, who has been incredibly loyal and performed well, or will they try to restructure and extend his contract instead?