Panthers’ Charles Johnson placed on IR, could return in 8 weeks

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Jared Allen was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round 2016 draft pick.

Allen signed a four-year, $32 million contact with the Bears in 2014 that included $15 million in guaranteed money and an $11.5 million roster bonus earlier this offseason. The statement provided by the Chicago Bears in relation to the trade of Jared Allen points to the crowded linebacker post as the main reason for their decision to send him to the Carolina Panthers locker room.

Allen is 33 years old and is headed to a 3-0 Panthers team that is in need of help at defensive end after Charles Johnson was declared out for Week 4 because of a hamstring injury.

Allen moved to outside linebacker this spring in the Bears’ transition to a 3-4 defense under coach John Fox. He took care of his body.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who missed Sunday’s game with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, said he is optimistic he will play in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. Allen has already tallied five tackles and an interception through two games with Chicago. Even though his performance was questionable at times in these years with the Bears, the Panthers have an opportunity to immediately score big with his addition. He’ll play in a more familiar 4-3 scheme with Carolina. His production only went up from there with Allen posting double-digit sack numbers in six straight seasons, including 22 in 2011. Jared Allen’s new team has a bye during Week 5, after which Johnson’s condition will be re-evaluated. He would have looked good in purple once again.

“He was disappointed, upset, but we sat down and talked to him about the value of him getting right”, Rivera said. “Sometimes when I’d be on the field, and when I don’t see certain plays coming to me, he’d (say), ‘Hey, watch out for this.’ It was a great experience overall playing with him”. (But) this allows me to go back to my more natural position.

Allen wasn’t the main player to leave the Bears’ protective fold Monday. When the Bears came to Charlotte in Week 5, the 6-foot-6 Allen had dropped from 255 pounds to 238.

The Bears have started 0-3 this season and the team is dealing with numerous injuries to key players, including Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery.

The Cavs did not accept Thompson’s most recent offer of a three-year maximum contract that his side proposed last week, according to ESPN.com. Coach Ron Rivera called Allen a “pass rushing specialist” who “rushes with violence”.