Washington Football Team made a significant step towards ensuring continuity in its defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen, a four year extension.Team IFA, his agency announced the contract on Monday via social media. It is worth $72 Million and includes a $30,000,000 signing bonus.Allen was drafted in the first round in 2017. He has been an anchor for Washington's interior defensive line. This group gives the franchise the most hope to become a consistent winner. Allen is now the fourth-highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL. Washington can also keep its starting defensive line intact for the next two season if it so chooses.Allen and the franchise both stated that they would like to have a deal in place for offseason. According to a source, negotiations had been slow up to Monday after Allen's side made it clear that an extension would have to be at least $18million per season.Allen, who the organization regards as a leader of the team, recently spoke with Ron Rivera. Second-year Washington coach Ron Rivera has often said that he wants to ensure the team maintains a strong line on both ends of the ball.Washington didn't want to repeat the situation with Brandon Scherff (guard), who is on the franchise tag for a second season. It could prove difficult to keep him beyond 2021.Daron Payne, a fellow starting defensive tackle, will be finishing his contract in 2022. The team would love to keep him. Washington will also have to worry about the future of ends Montez Sweat (2023), and Chase Young (2024). Washington also has Matt Ioannidis who was signed through 2022 and Tim Settle who is a free agent following this season.Although there were concerns about Allen's durability coming from Alabama, he has played in 52 games and has 17 sacks. In his three previous seasons, he was a defensive end in a 3-4 formation. Then Washington changed to a 4-3. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Allen was fourth in pass rush win rates among defensive tackles for 2020.
