Jared Allen NFL Career Overview
Jared Allen is a former NFL defensive end who played 11 seasons in the league and recorded 138.5 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, and 28 fumble recoveries. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2007 and 2011. His career is often referenced when discussing the most productive pass rushers of the 2000s and 2010s Forbes.
Allen entered the NFL after playing college football at Idaho State University, where he recorded 31.5 sacks and earned First Team All-Big Sky honors. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, 21st overall, and immediately became a key starter on their defensive line ESPN.
Teams Jared Allen Played For
Kansas City Chiefs
Allen played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004 to 2007, recording 31.5 sacks and establishing himself as one of the league's top pass rushers. He helped Kansas City reach the 2006 AFC Championship Game and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007 after leading the team with 15.5 sacks that season.
Minnesota Vikings
Allen was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 and remained there through 2013, becoming one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. During his time with Minnesota, he recorded 87.5 sacks, earned three more Pro Bowl selections, and led the league in sacks in 2011 with 22.0, the highest single-season total of his career.
Later NFL Teams and Career Totals
Chicago Bears
Allen signed with the Chicago Bears before the 2014 season and played there through 2015, adding 14.0 sacks and continuing to perform at a high level on the defensive line NFL.com.
Carolina Panthers
Allen finished his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers in 2016, recording 3.0 sacks in limited action before announcing his retirement. Across his 11 NFL seasons, he totaled 138.5 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, 28 fumble recoveries, and 10 defensive touchdowns, placing him among the top career sack leaders in league history Pro Football Reference.
Post-NFL Recognition
After retiring, Allen remained a prominent figure in football media and was inducted into the Idaho State University Athletics Hall of Fame. His career is frequently cited in discussions of the best defensive ends drafted in the first round and the most impactful pass rushers of the modern NFL era.