The “legal tampering” period of NFL free agency is officially underway, and while the [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.dailynorseman.com/) haven’t officially signed anyone yet. . .we _are_ only about fifteen minutes in, after all. . .they are getting a visit from someone who could fill a major need.
Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN are reporting that defensive lineman Jonathan Allen is going to be making a visit to Minnesota. I’d love to show you proof of this, but Twitter/X/whatever we’re calling it this week has picked a really good time to soil itself.
Allen spent his first seven years in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders after they took him with the 17th overall pick in the [2017 NFL Draft](https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/4/27/15372494/2017-nfl-draft-results-pick-by-pick). He’s a two-time Pro Bowler, garnering that honor in 2021 and 2022. He has 42 career quarterback sacks, with his career high of nine coming in 2021.
The Commanders attempted to trade Allen prior to the start of free agency, but could not find a taker at Allen’s current salary level, leading them to release him on Friday.
Allen, who hasn’t been as productive the past couple of seasons as he had been, could still fill a need as an interior pass rusher for a Vikings’ defensive line that could really use a force at that position. Obviously, nothing is official yet, but the fact that he’s visiting the Vikings shows that the team apparently sees something that they like.
We’ll be tracking the opening day of free agency. . .well, the “unofficial” opening day, in any case. . .as closely as we can and bring you whatever news we get as soon as we’re able.