Report: Washington Commanders releasing Jonathan Allen after trade talks

The Washington Commanders have reportedly told two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jonathan Allen that he will be released, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. The Commanders had attempted to trade Allen, a 2017 first-round pick out of Alabama, but will now release him into the free agent market.

Commanders informed two-time Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen today that he is being released, per sources. The team is allowing Allen to hit free agency early, and he now is expected to be one of the top DTs on the market. pic.twitter.com/9UYB83v8BH

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2025

Since being drafted with the No. 17 overall pick in 2017, Allen has been a mainstay along the Commanders defensive line. He’s been through some tough seasons and a couple of name changes, but Allen finally enjoyed a taste of success this past season in Jayden Daniels’ first go-round as the team’s quarterback.

While at Alabama, Allen was the heart and soul of the Crimson Tide’s 2015 National Championship-winning defense and would be named a unanimous All-American. Allen swept the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year awards the following season.

Jonathan Allen’s tale of the tape

Allen has made the Pro Bowl twice, and he’s accumulated 401 total tackles, 42 sacks, and two forced fumbles throughout his eight seasons in the NFL. His best season came in 2021 when Allen racked up a career-high nine sacks. Now, Allen becomes one of the most coveted interior defensive linemen available on the free agent market when it opens next week.

Allen does come with injury concerns after partially tearing his left pectoral muscle, which kept him out for a majority of the 2024 regular season. However, Allen provided a huge boost to the team once he returned, helping them win two playoff games before eventually falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. 

Reading the tea leaves, Allen’s departure could signal a continued interest in Myles Garrett from the Commanders. The superstar pass rusher from the Cleveland Browns requested a trade earlier this offseason, and Washington has been floated as a destination. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and unloading Allen and his contract would make a trade much more feasible.

Garrett, the former No. 1 pick for the Browns in 2017, just finished his eighth season in Cleveland and was as impactful as ever. He posted 47 tackles, with a career and league-high of 22 being for loss, and 14 sacks, which was second-most in the league. He could help transform the Commanders from a rising team to a Super Bowl contender.

On3’s Steven Samra contributed to this report.