Jared Allen is a 2nd year Hall of Fame finalist. The announcement will be made of who made it into the Hall on February 10th during the NFL Honors. Allen missed the Hall of Fame last year, with Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson, Drew Pearson, John Lynch, Alan Faneca, and Charles Woodsen being chosen in 2021. With Allen’s stellar career, it’s likely he’ll be chosen this year. Here’s a look back on Jared Allen’s Hall of Fame career.

The Beginning in Kansas City

Jared Allen was an elite talent coming into the draft in 2004. However, mostly due to a prior arrest and concerns of off the field issues, Allen fell to late in the draft. The Chiefs selected Allen in the 4th round. Allen quickly made a name for himself in the NFL, recording 9 sacks in his rookie year. He would become a dominant force in the NFL over the next 4 years. Allen recorded 11 sacks in 2005 and 7.5 sacks in 2006. Jared Allen led the NFL in sacks in 2007 with 15.5 sacks, despite missing the first 2 games of the season.

However, you can’t mention Allen’s time with the Chiefs without mentioning his off the field issues. The reason Allen missed the first 2 games of the 2007 was because he had a 2 game suspension. After being held in jail for 48 hours due to a DUI, the NFL suspended him for 2 games. Five months later, Allen would be charged with another DUI. This led to the Chiefs trading Allen to the Minnesota Vikings, for a 1st round, two 3rd rounds, and a conditional 6th round pick.

A Prolific Vikings Career

All though Jared Allen started with the Chiefs, most fans will remember him for his time with the Vikings. After trading for Allen, the Vikings signed him to a 6 year contract. This was a risky move at the time, considering Allen’s previous arrests. However, after being traded, Allen cleaned up his act and wouldn’t face any more legal trouble for the rest of his career.

In 2008, Jared Allen earned his 6 year contract in his first year as Viking. He recorded 14.5 sacks, 2 safeties, and was named to be a first team all pro. Allen would spend the next 3 years terrorizing quarterbacks. He would have another 14.5 sack year in 2009 before taking a dip in 2010 and only recording 11 sacks. However, Allen bounced back in a big way in 2011. In 2011, Allen set a franchise record with 22 sacks in one season. Here are all 22 of those sacks.

He was only half a sack away from tying Michael Strahan’s record. After his big year, Jared Allen would be quiet by his standards in 2012 and 2013. He recorded a combined 22.5 sacks in those 2 years.

Post Vikings Career

Jared Allen had a quiet career after leaving the Vikings. In 2014, the Chicago Bears signed him to a 4 year contract and moved him to outside linebacker. After only one season and 5.5 sacks, the Bears traded him to the Carolina Panthers for a 6th round conditional pick. With the Panthers, Allen would have 2 sacks in 2015. The Panthers made it to the Super Bowl, where Jared Allen recorded 1 tackle. Jared Allen announced his retirement in early 2016. He did so by posting this video on twitter.

The Minnesota Vikings signed him to a 1 day contract after the announcement so he could retire in the purple and yellow.

Final Thoughts

Jared Allen finished his career with 136 sacks. At his peak, he was the best defensive end in football. Allen undoubtedly had a Hall of Fame career. Regardless to if he makes it to Canton this year, he’ll find his way there eventually.

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