Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end
Jared Allen(69) reacts against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Allen signed on with the Chicago Bears on a 4-year deal worth $32 million, per Ian Rapoport. With Allen’s arrival on the defense, the Bears will have a legit pair of defensive ends with Allen and Lamarr Houston coming from the edges. Allen will provide the heat on quarterbacks from the edge and Houston will be a versatile player that can stop the run and bring pressure off of the outside. It upgrades the Bears pass rush a ton.
The Bears also have Willie Young on the roster and he will add depth to the position. Mark Trestman and the coaching staff will have to rotate the three defensive ends onto the field and maximize the potential out of all the players at the defensive end position.
Houston also may move inside on some plays to get all three players on the field at the same time. The Bears have a number of players that they can use on the defensive line and they will have to get creative to get them on the field. Not a bad problem to have.