Kansas City Chief defensive end Jared Allen, the NFL's sack leader, was traded Wednesday to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Chiefs received the 17th overall pick in this weekend's draft, and a pair of third-round selections.
Pro Bowler Jared Allen speaks to reporters Wednesday in Eden Prairie, Minn.
(Jim Mone/Associated Press)
"You never want to get rid of a good football player, [and] Jared Allen is a very good football player," Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson said. "However, based upon what compensation you might acquire and where the philosophy of this organization is today, this is the best decision for the organization now and
in the future."
"You don't often get the opportunity to get a player of this calibre at his age," Vikings vice-president of player personnel Rick Spielman said. "In essence, it looks like we got Jared Allen as a Top-10 pick."
Allen, 26, signed a six-year contract with the Vikings, reportedly worth $31 million US in guaranteed salary and, with incentives, as much as $74 million US.
"I have chills right now," he said. "It is just starting to sink in.
"As a player, it is cool because it shows appreciation for what you have done. But at the same time, personally, I look at it as a new challenge."
Allen was suspended last season for the first two games because of multiple DUI convictions, but he posted 65 tackles and a league-high 15½ sacks over the remaining 14 games.
"I have never run from my mistakes, I have owned up to them," he said. "I have made the changes necessary to be a better man."
Allen further strengthens a defensive line featuring fellow Pro Bowlers Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
"My life just got easier," Allen said. "Having those two defensive tackles as teammates is going to be tremendous."
"The only problem we're going to have is who is going to get to the quarterback first," he quipped.
"He can play every down," Vikings head coach Brad Childress said. "I feel like I got the best defensive end pass rusher, that plays the run combination, that there is."
Allen has totalled 230 tackles, 43 sacks, eight fumble recoveries and an interception in 61 NFL games since he was drafted in the fourth round (30th overall) by Kansas City in 2004.
"I look forward to jumping into this head first and engulfing myself in purple and gold," he said. "I'm ready to play some football and win some games."
With files from the Associated Press
