NFL Trade Deadline 2013: Minnesota Vikings Jared Allen sounds available

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) prior to a play during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Packers defeated the Vikings 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is set to make a whopping amount of money for the remainder of the season, so that automatically makes him a less attractive trade target for several teams. FOX Sports’s Jay Glazer reports that the Vikings “are certainly” open to “fielding offers” for Jared Allen, and there have been “talks” with a “few” teams. At this point, though, nothing significant is brewing, likely because teams are turned off by Allen’s hefty price tag.

The Vikings locked up Brian Robison earlier this season, and Robison is both younger and better than Allen. Yes, better. Allen is the bigger name and has bigger sack numbers, but Robison does a better job of playing the run and has done a more consistent job of putting pressure on the quarterback over the past two seasons. Robison was also in a contract year, so the Vikings were very wise to re-sign him.

Allen has a hefty 4.5 sacks so far this season, and he’s still a very productive pass rusher in this team. A franchise desperate for his ability to sack the quarterback should show interest, but I highly doubt any deals get done. The Vikings aren’t going anywhere this season, but Allen just costs far too much to be an attractive trade target. He’s a talented player and it isn’t impossible to see a team acquiring him, but the Vikings should trade him if they can get more than a fifth for him.

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