Jonathan Allen Set to Enter Free Agency After Eight Years with Washington Commanders

Washington, D.C. – Jonathan Allen, a standout player for the Washington Commanders, will be hitting the free agent market after the team decided to release him. The decision comes after his eight seasons with the franchise, during which he made a significant impact on the team’s defense.

On Friday, the Commanders officially notified Allen of his release to allow him to explore his options before the free agency period begins on March 10. Before this announcement, Allen was given the chance to search for a trade, but a deal seemed unlikely due to his hefty contract that carried a $22.5 million cap hit.

Releasing Allen will save the Commanders $16.5 million in cap space, a much-needed boost as they look to reshape their roster. In 2025, Allen’s base salary was set to be $15.5 million, but with no guaranteed money, the team opted to move on.

Last season, Allen’s performance was hampered by a torn pectoral muscle that he sustained in Week 6, sidelining him for a period. Nevertheless, he made a return for the final two games of the regular season and made headlines during Washington’s playoff run, starting all three postseason games and playing 77.5 percent of defensive snaps.

Throughout his time with the Commanders, Allen was a Pro Bowl selection in both 2021 and 2022, accumulating a total of 16.5 sacks and 127 combined tackles during those standout years. Over his career, he has tallied 42.0 sacks, 401 total tackles, and 118 quarterback hits across 109 games.

As Washington moves forward, they may look to give more playing time to Daron Payne and rookie Jer’Zhan Newton as they aim to bolster their defensive line in Allen’s absence. Given the current landscape of available defensive tackles, Allen is poised to be one of the hottest free agents on the market, especially after returning to form by showcasing his skills in the playoffs.

With a strong resume and previous Pro Bowl achievements, Allen could become a key asset for a team seeking to fortify its defensive line for a playoff push next season.