Alex Kay of Blacher Report proposed a trade that would send Allen to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick (59th overall) and a 2024 fourth-round pick (123rd overall). Allen would join a contending club, and the Commanders would receive more draft money as they begin their rebuild.
“Houston performed well against the run in 2023, placing sixth after allowing only 96.6 yards per game, but it struggled to consistently get after the quarterback and apply pressure from the interior of the defensive line. The Texans placed in the bottom ten in pass defence and had 46 sacks on the season.
“Bringing in a stout defensive tackle like Jonathan Allen would immediately improve their ability to disturb the backfield. While the 29-year-old, like many of his Washington Commanders teammates, is coming off a disappointing year (5.5 sacks), he remains a dependable defender who can rush the passer and stop the run at a high level.
The Texans’ transaction makes sense, but Washington must exercise caution when considering moving on from Allen. The Commanders’ culture may change under Dan Quinn’s leadership. Sometimes that’s all a player needs.
Jonathan Allen is the Commanders’ top trade chip.
Allen’s trade market value has reached an all-time high with two years remaining on his deal. The Commanders must know from his prior statements that he does not wish to return and will go in free agency in 2026.
Allen admitted on “Sports Junkies” that he has considered playing elsewhere previously.
“One thousand percent.” I would be lying to say I didn’t. I play this game to win, and I definitely want to win here. But I want to win first and foremost.
If it isn’t a sign that they need to move him now, nothing is. He’s made it clear that it’s time to split, and the offseason provides an excellent opportunity to do so. When you consider that the Washington Commanders will have a new head coach and most likely a rookie quarterback, the decision becomes more easier. They cannot have players in the locker room who do not want to be there.
Commanders’ defence can’t get any worse.
On the positive side, the Washington Commander’s defence cannot go any worse. Last season, they allowed the most points in football, averaging more over 30 per game.
Moving Allen would not address the defense’s problems, but neither did keeping him last season.
The Houston Texans would enhance their defence and continue to develop something great. CJ Stroud, a rookie quarterback, has already won a playoff game, and adding another elite defensive player will only improve an already impressive roster.
Kay discussed why this is a good fit for the Texans.
“In the period of a single season, the Houston Texans transformed from a league laughingstock to, arguably, the most intriguing team among the 14 that made the NFL playoffs this year. The emergence of No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud as a legitimate franchise quarterback accelerated the club’s rebuilding process, but a crushing divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens demonstrated that there is still a long way to go.”
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