Quinn may improve the Washington Commanders’ pass rush by replacing Montez Sweat and Chase Young with Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s a “premier edge-rushing talent” in 2024 NFL free agency, and he’s an excellent fit for Quinn’s systems.
According to NFL.com’s Nick Shook, “Fresh off a 17.5-sack campaign, the time is now for Allen to get paid handsomely, and the Commanders have the cap space and a big need at edge rusher.”
What makes the player and squad an ideal match is that “Allen appears to be just the guy for new coach Dan Quinn to use as a pass-rushing demon.”
That’s a legitimate expectation given Quinn’s success in developing wandering edge-rusher Micah Parsons into an All-Pro for the Dallas Cowboys. This is why Shook isn’t the only one who thinks Allen belongs in Washington.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report describes Allen as a “building block for the pass rush.” The Commanders require one of these after trading defensive ends Sweat and Young at the trade deadline last season.
Add Allen to defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, and the Commanders’ defensive line would become one of the best in the league. “That is something Dan Quinn can work with.”
Josh Allen Is a Good Scheme Fit for Commanders
Allen, an outside linebacker who can also play defensive end and rush the passer from both sides of the line, fits the Commanders’ scheme well. Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will implement the same system that they used in Dallas.
Their secret to success was a marauding pass rush in front of man coverage. The playbook relied heavily on versatile defensive linemen, so Quinn will cherish Allen’s contributions on the field.
Last season, the 26-year-old accounted for 17.5 sacks and 33 quarterback hits. Allen also added 46 pressures and 14 hurries on 58 blitz attempts, according to Pro Football Reference.
A simple glance at three of Allen’s 2023 sacks demonstrates his versatility. In Week 1, No. 41 beat the right tackle to get to Anthony Richardson against the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in a Kentucky Football highlight.
Allen was on the opposite side when he rushed around left tackle to force a turnover by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in Week 4.
In Quinn’s defence, a game-changing pass rusher creates pressure from both ends of the formation. Allen may rush from a standing position or with his hand in the earth.
The seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft has the ability to attack the quarterback from the inside. Allen pulled this move inside to sack C.J. Stroud against the Houston Texans in Week 12.
Parsons and other edge rushers frequently rushed from the interior for Quinn and the Cowboys. Allen might do the same position, but he’ll require assistance.
Commanders Need Multiple Replacements for Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
The Commanders’ league-leading $96,088,007 in salary cap space allows them to add many replacements for Sweat and Young. Trading the two provided draft capital, but Washington’s defence was unable to exert pressure on the pocket without them.
Sweat, who had six sacks since joining the Chicago Bears, had no trouble with it. He has also perfected the skill of creating pressure, according to PFF CHI Bears.
Young was less productive, but he still helped the San Francisco 49ers reach the Super Bowl.
Making a blockbuster acquisition like Allen, as well as a cheap deal for Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., whom Quinn is familiar with, would more than adequately replace Young and Sweat.
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