Allen took trade talk as 'sign of respect,' but star pass rusher remains with Vikings

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) reacts on the sideline near the end of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Packers won 44-31. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2013, file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen walks along the sidelines during the final minutes in the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Minneapolis. Allen's name was bandied about in trade speculation until the NFL deadline passed on Tuesday afternoon, so the four-time first-team All-Pro pick will finish the final year of his contract with Minnesota. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File) (The Associated Press)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The NFL trade deadline has passed, and Jared Allen is still with the Minnesota Vikings.

High-profile players with huge contracts are rarely dealt in this league, so the likelihood of him switching teams was slim. Still, he'll be a free agent after the season. The Vikings are 1-6 and on track for another rebuilding project. Salary cap aside, there were sensible reasons for a trade.

But Allen said Wednesday he wasn't bothered by his name being bandied about. He said he took that as a "sign of respect" that he still has value, as a four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end. Allen has 4½ sacks this season.

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