The Chicago Bears will reportedly no longer enjoy the services of calf-roping pass rusher Jared Allen. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports revealed on Monday afternoon that the Carolina Panthers had acquired Allen via trade with the Bears. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports confirmed Glazer's report.
No word yet on compensation, though Glazer and La Canfora both suggest that it's a single, late-round pick. The Bears already paid Allen's $11.5 million roster bonus this season, meaning the Panthers are only on the hook for his $1 million guaranteed salary, but, as Andrew Brandt of ESPN notes, Allen will count $12.5 million against Chicago's cap for next season.
UPDATE, 5:00 p.m.: Glazer is reporting that the Bears will receive a sixth-round pick.
With defensive end Charles Johnson on the shelf for at least next week, possibly longer, the Panthers were sorely in need of some pass rush help. While Allen, 33, is no longer the stud quarterback terrorizer he used to be, he's the kind of player who can add a little punch for the short-term. So far this season Allen has five tackles, one interception and zero sacks for the Bears.
On the Bears side, trading Allen actually makes quite a bit of sense. Some thought it may come much sooner or that Allen may not even make the new-look Chicago roster as he seemed a poor fit for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 3-4. Allen though, despite growing long in the tooth and having professed in the past a distaste for a base 3-4, made it clear this offseason that he was excited for the change to head coach John Fox's regime and a willingness to make it work.
But now with the reported move to Carolina, Allen finds himself back within the cozy confines of a 4-3 under Sean McDermott and the hand-in-the-dirt defensive end position.
