Panthers trade for pass rusher Jared Allen

The Chicago Bears (0-3) have made a decision to trade once elite pass rusher, Jared Allen, to a team going in the opposite direction, the Carolina Panthers (3-0).

When the Panthers traded Chicago a 2016 sixth-round pick for Allen on Monday, they picked up one of the NFL’s well-known extroverts.

And that 4-3 team turned out to be the Panthers and coach Ron Rivera, an undefeated team suddenly confronted with the loss of starting defensive end Charles Johnson to a hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old Allen has 134 career sacks – more than any active player in the National Football League – during his 12 seasons, but his production has dropped off sharply since joining the Chicago Bears last season and playing in their 3-4 defense. “They allowed me to go back to my more natural position”. According to NFL Media reporter Ian Rapoport, the Bears are getting a conditional draft pick for the trade. That changed in 2014, when he notched 10 sacks before tearing his Achilles tendon late in the season.

Allen’s contract includes a non-guaranteed salary of $8.5 million in 2016 and automatically voids before the 2017 season. “I gave it the old college try and I put the work in”, Allen said.

Following a Week 5 bye, the Panthers head to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks on October 18.

But the Panthers are confident Allen can breathe life into a pass rush that has produced one sack by a defensive lineman in the past 98 drop-backs by opposing quarterbacks. Allen had a monster year in 2011 with 22 sacks and while he may not get up to that number ever again, if he can contribute a little for the Panthers the team will be very pleased to have him. He’ll play in a more familiar 4-3 scheme with Carolina.

Allen’s trade comes as yet another absence for the Bears from their Week 1 roster going into this week’s game against the Raiders as it is expected that quarterback Jay Cutler could be out for a second straight week.

If he plays like he has shown in the past this Panthers team should be a true NFC contender. Allen couldn’t ask for a much easier first game. After receiving a few medical treatment at Bank of America Stadium, Brown was sent home to recover and to keep his distance from teammates.

The Bears considered Allen expendable because they have McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and Sam Acho at outside linebacker.

Allen is perhaps best known for his six years with the Minnesota Vikings from 2008-2013. “He plays the run well”.