Minnesota is moving on from Jonathan Allen as the Vikings clear cap space and reshape the roster heading into the 2026 offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings continued clearing salary cap space on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Vikings will release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Fowler cited "salary cap constraints" as the reason for the move.
Allen, 31, started all 17 games but generated only 3.5 sacks. He received a 53.2 PFF grade, the second-lowest among Vikings defenders with at least 200 snaps.
The release comes one year after Allen signed a three-year, $51 million contract with Minnesota. He, along with fellow defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, was expected to provide a fierce interior pass rush.
That didn't happen, though. Inconsistency from both Allen and Hargrave was frustrating, especially after the Vikings allocated over $80 million on the pair last year.
Allen isn't the only veteran that Minnesota is moving on from this offseason. Hargrave, 33, and running back Aaron Jones, 31, were informed this week that they will be released before the start of the new league year next week if they aren't traded before then.
The Vikings could move on from other veterans as well. On Tuesday, Adam Schefter reported Minnesota was "open" to trading EDGE rusher Jonathan Greenard. They could also look to move on from center Ryan Kelly, 32, who only played in eight games this season after dealing with several concussions. His exit feels inevitable, and retirement is also a possibility.
Kelly was signed last year during the first wave of free agency, along with Allen and Hargrave. There was optimism that these moves could fortify the trenches and give the Vikings a more physical identity. Instead, the moves didn't work out, helping contribute to a 4-8 start in 2025.
Fortunately, there is some good news on Minnesota's defensive line. On Wednesday, Fowler also announced the team is placing the exclusive rights tender on Jalen Redmond, who had a standout season in 2025. His 72.7 PFF grade ranked third among Vikings defenders, and he ranked second on the team with 39 stops.
There is a clear shift in organizational philosophy in 2026. After spending heavily in free agency over the past two years, Minnesota is trying to get younger and cheaper. The Vikings have relied on free agency to compensate for poor drafting since 2022.
That worked in 2024. But when it failed in 2025, the team's lack of depth was evident, and the high-priced free agent acquisitions were deemed expendable.
Allen was one of several players who fell short of expectations in 2025. Instead of hanging on to him and hoping he can bounce back and play up to the level of his contract, the Vikings are moving on.
Moving on from Allen and Hargrave could also increase the likelihood of adding a defensive tackle in the first round of the draft. Right now, though, it's evident that Minnesota isn't going to repeat its mistakes in 2026.