The Washington Football Team announced a four-year, $72 million extension for defensive tackle Jonathan Allen on Monday. Added with his $10.5 million fifth-year option for the 2021 season, the deal turns into $82.5 million over the next five years.
However, details of the four-year extension shows Washington is essentially only committed to Allen for the next two seasons. After that the team could move on from Allen at any point of the new extension at little penalty.
According to Over the Cap, the bulk of the $35.6 million in guarantees to Allen will be paid in his signing bonus. He’ll receive $30 million for signing. As for the remaining $5.6 million guaranteed?
Allen’s $1.1 million base salary in 2021 is fully guaranteed. So is his $2.0 million base salary in 2022. In 2023, he is slated make $14 million. However, only $2.5 million is guaranteed if he is still on the roster March 20, 2023.
From there his salaries from 2023-2025 are not guaranteed. Thus, Washington could decide to move on from the former Alabama product after the 2022 season. While the dead cap leans heavy in 2023 at $18 million, Washington will actually save $3.5 million against the salary cap by cutting or trading Allen before the 2023 season.
The cap savings grows to $9.5 million by cutting or trading him before the 2024 season. Then a whopping $17 million if Washington moves on before the final year of the contract in 2025.
It’s clear both Washington and Jonathan Allen are considering the NFL’s new TV contract that is slated to begin in 2023 season by backloading the contract. For Washington, if Allen continues to play at an exceptional level, they’ll take the brunt of the cap hits in the back of the deal once the salary cap grows with the new TV deal.
The team also protects itself, if Allen’s play slips or he cannot maintain good health. It also allows them to get trade value for a good defensive tackle. As his potential new team would only be on the hook for his base salaries and bonuses from 2023-2025, which is competitive against top-level defensive tackles.
Washington is intent to keep their stellar quarter defensive line in tact for the next two seasons. After that they’ll have decisions to make. Keep in mind, defensive tackle Daron Payne is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Defensive end Montez Sweat is due the following year in 2024. Then 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young is due in 2025.
