With the Dallas Cowboys seemingly out of the picture after signing Henry Melton, the interest between former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks appears to be picking up steam.
According to Ed Werder of ESPN, Allen is making a second trip to the Pacific Northwest to visit with the Seahawks. A source confirmed the second meeting to PFT.
Allen first visited with the Seahawks on Sunday before making his way to Dallas for a visit with the Cowboys on Tuesday.
Allen said before the start of free agency that he was looking for a team that has “a chance to win” and that can pay him “a fair contract.” Seattle definitely meets the first criteria. Whether they can meet the second one remains to be seen. However, Allen likely knows the rough amount the Seahawks are putting on the table for him. If that number wasn’t something close to what he’d be comfortable with, there wouldn’t seem to be much need to take a second visit.
The Seahawks re-signed defensive end Michael Bennett before the start of free agency and also has Cliff Avril under contract for another season as well. Allen could fill the role for Seattle vacated by the release of Chris Clemons last week.
While Allen remains a terrific pass rusher, Seattle can likely only go so far to sign him. They have expected contract extensions for safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman on the horizon as both are in the last year of their contracts. In addition, quarterback Russell Wilson will be eligible for a new contract after next season that the team has to keep an eye toward as well.
With the number of suitors for Allen lessening, it could provide Seattle with the type of relative bargain deal they need to add Allen to their pass rush.