By ,
Published January 08, 2015
Lake Forest, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with defensive end Jared Allen on a four-year contract.
According to NFL.com, the deal is worth $32 million, although the contract voids to three years for $24 million. The pact includes $15.5 million in fully guaranteed money.
Allen joins the Bears after spending the past six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
"We are extremely happy for Jared, his wife Amy, our fans and the Chicago Bears that Jared has agreed to terms and will be joining the Bears family," said Bears general manager Phil Emery. "This is another important step in our continued efforts to build our team towards a championship level."
In 2013, Allen recorded 52 tackles, 11 1/2 sacks, six passes defensed and two forced fumbles. It was his seventh consecutive double-digit sack season and eighth overall of his 10-year career.
Allen started all 16 games in each of his six seasons with the Vikings. He has never played in fewer than 14 games in any season since entering the NFL in 2004.
"I'd like to take a moment to thank my former teammates, coaches and the staff at the Minnesota Vikings for all of their inspiring work and dedication," Allen said. "Perhaps more importantly I would like to thank the fans and the Minnesota community. 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. 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. God bless."
Originally selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Allen spent the first four years of his career with the Chiefs. In 157 career games, Allen has compiled 555 tackles, five interceptions, 29 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 50 pass deflections and four safeties, tied for the most in NFL history.
The Idaho State product and 2003 Buck Buchanan Award winner leads the league in sacks with 128 1/2 since being drafted. Allen broke the Vikings single- season sack record with 22 in 2011, just a half-sack shy of Michael Strahan's single-season league record.
Allen, who will turn 32 in April, is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and has been voted first-team All Pro four times.
"We're really excited about adding Jared to our football team," said Bears coach Marc Trestman. "We know what his abilities bring to the table. Jared is certainly a very experienced player in the league. We believe he's going to come in hungry and excited to be part of our football team, and we believe he'll fit right in with the other new players that we've added and the guys that are already on the defensive side of the ball. I know that our defensive coaches are excited as well."
The Bears already added two pass rushers in free agency, signing Lamarr Houston and Willie Young. Chicago did lose eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, who signed with the rival Packers.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/bears-agree-to-terms-with-jared-allen