Chiefs deal Jared Allen to the Vikings

[Pistons < Spurs]

Jared Allen, the franchise player for the Kansas City Chiefs, is heading to a new franchise, the Minnesota Vikings, according to multiple sources.

Late Tuesday night, the Chiefs and the Vikings reached an agreement on a trade package, and at roughly the same time, Allen reached an agreement in principle on a contract with the Vikings. Upon reaching the contract agreement, Allen headed to the airport and left for Minnesota.

Sources said the Vikings included a second third-round pick (No. 73) in the 2008 draft to get the deal done. They had been offering a No. 1 pick (17th in the first round) and a No. 3 (No. 82). The teams also swapped spots in the sixth round with the Vikings getting a better spot in the sixth round, sources said.

Terms of Allen's new contract weren't available.

Allen, a fourth-year defensive end out of Idaho State, led the league in sacks last season with 15½.

The Chiefs, who are trying to get younger, now have the fifth pick in the first round and presumably the Vikings pick, which is the 17th. Allen had made it clear to the Chiefs that he wouldn't sign a long-term deal with the team.

Now, the Chiefs can use the fifth pick in the first round to find a pass-rushing replacement, either Vernon Gholston of Ohio State or Chris Long of Virginia.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3362701

[samikeyp]

Looks like the dealing has begun!

[Pistons < Spurs]

The former Chiefs player has agreed to terms with the Vikings, Allen told FOXSports.com exclusively, on a contract that makes him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. The deal is for six years and just under $74 million, including a stunning $31,000,069 guaranteed — 69 is his jersey number.

The Vikings will give up their 2008 first-round draft pick as well as two third-rounders, and the teams will swap sixth-round picks.

Acquiring Allen is a huge move for the Vikings and immediately gives them the best defensive line in the NFL. Allen joins fellow Pro Bowlers Kevin and Pat Williams as well as the very underrated Ray Edwards.

The move means the Chiefs will have two first-round picks and a slew of additional selections over the course of the draft, a solid sign for a team in rebuilding mode. Now that Allen is gone, look for the Chiefs to aim for Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, provided he's still on the board when the Chiefs select at No. 5.

The Vikings did an exhaustive check on Allen, who missed two games last year due to suspension for a pair of DUI charges. Everyone from owner Zigi Wilf to head coach Brad Childress and the rest of the front office checked and re-checked to make sure Allen would be a model citizen, and all accounts came back positive.

On Thursday, Childress took a couple of coaches, grabbed Wilf's plane and flew to California to pick up Allen to bring him in for a two-day visit. While the Bucs were also involved, Minnesota was always Allen's top choice because it refused to harp on his past in talks and negotiations.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8061676/Vikes,-Chiefs-make-blockbuster-deal-for-DE-Allen

[Evan]

Awesome deal for the chiefs.

[mardigan]

Vikings d-line is going to be sick. Allen is a top 5 end in the league. Great deal for both teams.

[Evan]

Vikings d-line is going to be sick. Allen is a top 5 end in the league. Great deal for both teams.

You don't think KC gave up too much?

[mardigan]

You don't think KC gave up too much?

Not at all. They solidify their d-line with a 26 year old sack leader, and they werent going to get anyone near his talent with the 17th pick. Giving up the two 3rds suck giving up, but double digit sack guys are hard to come by in the NFL.

[Evan]

Yeah true...it has to hurt to get something good in a trade right?

[ballhog]

Vikes will have a tough D this season, an immediate impact. Minny was looking for right now and KC was looking 5 yrs down the road.

[NBA Junkie]

You don't think KC gave up too much?

I think the Vikings did.

This is the type of move that teams make to clear the hurdle for a Super Bowl run.

With the Vikings lack of offensive weapons to complement AP, it ain't happening there.

[mardigan]

Allen had 15 and a half sacks in 14 games playing next to absolutely no one. With the lack on double digit sack guys in the league, the Vikes gave up what they had to. Draft picks arent a sure thing, Allen is.