Chiefs Talking Trade for All-Pro Jared Allen

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The Kansas City Chiefs are talking with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Bucs about a possible trade for All-Pro DE and NFL sack leader Jared Allen. As the Chiefs’ non-exclusive franchise player, Jared is free to talk with other teams. But it seems only the Vikes and Bucs have stepped to the forefront with serious interest. Jared and his agent were in Minnesota today to hash out some possibilities. According to ESPN’s Michael Smith, the Vikings are the front-runners because they are willing to part with what Kansas City demands — 2008 Draft choices.

Minnesota knows what Jared is capable of firsthand. Last season, he had nine tackles, two sacks, a QB pressure, a pass defensed and a forced fumble in a regular season win against the Vikings. But KC general manager Carl Peterson hasn’t seen any legitimate action on Minnesota’s part:

“We’re talking in speculation right now. At this particular point, nothing has been done or consummated ….. I don’t know at this point. I haven’t seen any contract offer.”

Giving up Draft picks for Jared makes sense for Minnesota, but so far it’s unclear exactly what the Chiefs are asking for. Obviously, a first-rounder in this year’s Draft is a must. But what else? As far as the Vikings are concerned, they want to know how low they can go.

Jared’s the aforementioned NFL sack leader and he just turned 26-years-old, so he’s in the prime of his career. Minnesota most likely won’t get a player close to what Jared is capable of with the 17th overall pick next Saturday. So that works. But will they be willing to give up a second- or third-round pick as well?

I realize Jared was suspended the first two games of last season by Commissioner Goodell for multiple DUI convictions, but Jared says he has stopped drinking entirely, a claim backed up by close friends. If the Vikings are convinced he’s ready to get serious about his career and life (and it seems he has), they should make the trade happen. With an elite pass rusher to offset the Vikes’ stingy run defense, suddenly Minnesota is talking playoffs or better.