CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears were looking to jolt their struggling defense.
How does adding Jared Allen sound?
The Bears agreed to a four year contract with the five time Pro Bowl defensive end Wednesday, replacing one accomplished pass rusher with another as they rebuild a defense that ranked among the league’s worst last season.
A person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press that Allen will get $15.5 million guaranteed on a deal that could be worth as much as $32 million. The person requested anonymity because the terms have not been announced.
Allen’s deal can be voided down to three years and $24 million, but the first two years of his salary and a roster bonus next March are fully guaranteed.
Allen, 31, spent the previous six years with the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. He will take over for Julius Peppers, who signed with Green Bay as a free agent after being released by the Bears. Chicago’s defense ranked 30th in the NFL last season and was 32nd and last against the run.
“This is another important step in our continued efforts to build our team towards a championship level,” General Manager Phil Emery told the team’s website.
Allen thanked his teammates and coaches in Minnesota along with the fans.
“I can only hope that I have left with you all, with even a fraction of the positive support and impact you have had on my life, my foundation and my family,” he said through a released statement. “I am very excited about this next chapter in my career with the Chicago Bears and can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
He had 11½ sacks last season, the seventh consecutive season he has had at least 10, and is considered a solid run defender.
Allen also had talks with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. His move to the Bears adds plenty of intrigue to the NFC North picture.
The Vikings acquired Allen from Kansas City in 2007 and signed him to a six-year, $73 million contract that at the time made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Allen was one of the most-feared pass rushers in the NFL over the life of that deal. In 2011, he had 22 sacks.
He made $17 million last season, and the Vikings, who were coming off a disappointing 5-10-1 record, were looking to get younger at the position.
Minnesota signed Everson Griffen to a big contract to take Allen’s place and said goodbye to stalwart defensive tackle Kevin Williams (Fordyce) in a revamped front four under Coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings expressed some interest in having Allen return, but it became clear early in the process that the numbers wouldn’t match up.
Allen said he wasn’t looking to simply chase Super Bowl rings or become a situational pass rusher at this stage of his career, so he took his time trying to find the right fit. When Allen hit the market with Peppers and the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware, three of the most accomplished defensive ends of their generation were available. Ware signed with Denver, and Peppers received a three-year, $26.5 million deal with $7.5 million guaranteed from the Packers earlier in free agency.
Allen is by far the signature addition in a busy off season.
Besides letting Peppers go, the Bears brought back two time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman on a one-year deal.
They also have new defensive ends in Willie Young and Lamarr Houston. They added Ryan Mundy and M.D. Jennings to the mix at safety and signed lineman Israel Idonije, hoping to boost a defense that was shredded last season.
SAINTS QB McCown signs
NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said the team has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with quarterback Luke McCown, who was Drew Brees’ backup last season, as well as the holder on field goals.
McCown, whose re-signing was announced Wednesday, is entering his 11th NFL season out of Louisiana Tech.
McCown has played in 38 regular-season games in his career, including 9 starts, and has completed 184 of 317 passes for 2,035 yards, 9 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Sports, Pages 19 on 03/27/2014