Chiefs Trade Jared Allen to Vikings

Photo Courtesy Minnesota Vikings

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It’s official. The Kansas City Chiefs have traded All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings for three picks in this weekend’s NFL Draft. The Vikings give up their first-round pick (17th overall) plus both of their third-round picks (73rd and 82nd overall). Initially, the Chiefs wanted Minnesota’s first and second-round spots, but the Vikings had enough Draft picks (nine) to negotiate with. Considering their second-round pick non-negotiable, they decided to abandon their two third-round picks instead and the Chiefs jumped at the opportunity. KC now has 13 total selections in this 2008 NFL Draft as they try to rebuild their program.

Photos Courtesy Minnesota Vikings

Jared Allen wanted no part of a rebuilding program. As he approaches the prime of his career, Jared saw that the Vikings (who signed him for six years and nearly $74 million with $31 million guaranteed) were really only a player or two away from being serious playoff contenders. Along with the “Williams Wall” (tackles Kevin and Pat), Minnesota now has three Pro Bowlers on their D-line and a very legitimate pass rush. You know the numbers. The Vikings could stop the run (they were the NFL’s best last season) but couldn’t stop the pass. Opposing teams gave up trying to run on the Vikes and Minnesota couldn’t muster enough of a pass rush to prevent themselves from becoming the league’s worst pass defense. With Kenechi Udeze recovering from leukemia and Erasmus James recuperating from a third knee operation, it was pretty clear the Vikings needed help at the defensive end position.

Jared’s only going to make the rest of the Vikings better. I’m talking specifically about players like Ray Edwards (who should start opposite Jared at DE) and DBs Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin and Marcus McCauley. As long as Jared can stay healthy and out of trouble, the opportunistic Vikings will have arguably the NFL’s best defense to go along with an offense led by superstar running back Adrian Peterson. If QB Tarvaris Jackson can “manage” the offense, Minnesota will be tough to beat. Super Bowl contenders? In the wide-open NFC, why not?