Jared Allen NFL Career Overview
Jared Allen is a former NFL defensive end who played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft after playing college football at Idaho State. Allen spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008. His career totals include 136 sacks, 1,756 tackles, and 145 forced passes, making him one of the most productive pass rushers of his era. More details on his career are available on the NFL official site nfl.com.
Allen's peak production came with the Minnesota Vikings, where he recorded 111 sacks between 2008 and 2013. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named First Team All-Pro three times during his time in Minnesota. His sack total ranks among the highest for any defensive end in the modern NFL era. After leaving Minnesota, he played for the Chicago Bears in 2014 and finished his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 2015. His career trajectory is often compared to other top defensive ends using data from sites like pro-football-reference.com.
Jared Allen Teams and Transactions
Kansas City Chiefs
Jared Allen was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played for the Chiefs from 2004 to 2007 and recorded 32 sacks during that period. His early development under coaches like Dick Vermeil and Herman Edwards laid the foundation for his later success. The Chiefs traded Allen to the Minnesota Vikings in April 2008 in exchange for a first-round pick.
Minnesota Vikings
Allen joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 and immediately became a starter. He recorded 14 sacks in his first season with the team and improved to 15.5 sacks in 2009. His best statistical season came in 2011 when he recorded 22 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl. He remained with the Vikings through the 2013 season before entering free agency. Contract details and performance metrics are tracked by the team on vikings.com.
Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams
Jared Allen signed with the Chicago Bears in 2014 and played one season there, recording 4 sacks in 15 games. He then joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2015, where he played his final NFL season. His time with the Rams was brief, but he contributed as a veteran presence on the defensive line. Both teams listed him as a rotational starter during his short stints.
Jared Allen Career Statistics and Legacy
Key Career Numbers
Jared Allen finished his NFL career with 136 sacks, placing him among the top defensive ends in league history. He also recorded 1,756 total tackles and 145 passes defensed over 15 NFL seasons. His sack total ranks in the top 25 all time for NFL career leaders. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and earned three First Team All-Pro honors. Advanced metrics and rankings are available on espn.com/nfl/.
Post-Playing Career and Hall of Fame Consideration
After retiring in 2016, Jared Allen has remained