Minnesota Vikings defense end Jared Allen has officially rejoined the team as organized team activities kick off. After rehabbing a surgically repaired left shoulder, Allen was the lone holdout during the team's first week of OTAs. As his contract expires, Allen appeared as content as ever to be back on the field with his teammates.
Allen is entering into the final year of his contract. The 31-year old veteran will be owed $14 million this season. As one of the faces of the Vikings' defense, it was assumed that Allen would have signed an extension this offseason to remain in Minnesota for a few more years. Instead, the Vikings tabled contract talks and will let Allen play out that final year. Despite the lack of communication from the team, Allen has no anger towards the Vikings' front office.
"A lot of guys try to get more money before the deal's up. Hey, I signed a contract for six years. They signed a contract for six years. It's very, very rare when both sides honor that. A lot of guys get let go in the last year or restructure in the last year. A lot guys,...they play one good year and they want to re-up. For me, this is the commitment I made-let me honor that. They want to honor it. So, that's great. For me, I've got no beefs, no quarrels, no nothing with it," Allen told ESPN Radio.
Allen is coming off of the shoulder surgery and played most of 2012 with various injuries. Despite all of that, he still managed 12 sacks. It was his sixth straight season in double digits with sacks. He has always been consistent with his production on the field and his leadership with the team off the field. The Vikings will clearly want to keep him around, but could be waiting to see how he responds to the non-negotiations first.
"I think a lot if it is a numbers game, too. What's their production? How can they help our team win? It's just like anything-they're trying to get us for the cheapest and everybody on the other side is trying to get as much money as they possibly can, right? I don't' tend to worry about everybody else," Allen said.
While Allen is content in playing out the final year of his contract, he is not content with taking a pay cut with the team. He has gone on record saying that if Minnesota asks for a price drop, he will be the first to walk out of the door.
