It almost happened. Jared Allen was almost sent packing from the Minnesota Vikings as the Seattle Seahawks highly considered making a deal at the NFL trade deadline. However, 4 p.m. came and went and Allen is still a member of the Vikings. After offseason contract disputes and a slow start to the season, the veteran defensive end says he is thrilled to still be a member of the team.
FOX Sports' Jay Glazer was the first to report the Seahawks being in heavy pursuit of Allen at the deadline. While numerous teams appeared interested in Allen, the Seahawks were the ones makes the discussions. The potential move made sense considering the Vikings are not in place contention and the Seahawks needed one or two more pieces to make them locked for the postseason. In the end, nothing happened.
"Proud to still be a Viking. I watched all the trade stuff like everyone else. It is a part of this business. 100% committed to turning this season around," Allen wrote in a text message to Glazer.
The asking price could be the biggest reason why Allen still remains with the team. The Vikings reportedly wanted a second-round draft pick for the veteran but would have considered a third-round choice if a team offered. The four-time Pro Bowler apparently is not worth that much which could make his pending free agency be difficult.
Allen is playing out the final year of his contract with the Vikings. He will be a free agent next spring since the team opted not to trade him. The veteran has said that he will not been too keen on accepting a pay cut. While Allen continues to stress that he is not angry for the lack of contract talks, the likelihood that he does not return in 2014 is very high.
"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," Allen said, via ESPN.com. "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."
Ironically, the Vikings signed free agent Justin Trattou on Tuesday who will add to the depth of defensive ends. Brian Robison and Sharrif Floyd are also signed through next season.
