A report out of Philly says that the Philadelphia Eagles are interested in Kansas City Chiefs G Jeff Allen, who is scheduled to hit free agency on Wednesday. The KC connection here is of course Doug Pederson, the Chiefs former OC who left to take the Eagles head coaching job.
Les Bowen of Philly.com reports: "Allen is on the Eagles' radar, according to sources familiar with the Eagles' plans, but other teams want him, too, including the Chiefs, who could make a push to keep the left guard. They'll likely let him walk."
Free agency rumors have also connected him to the Jaguars, although we don't know how solid that is at this point. One report suggested his price tag could be $4 million per year while the Philly report has it at $5 million per year.
Allen was one of the Chiefs best linemen last season and I hope they would keep him but signs seem to be pointing the other way. The Chiefs past history with linemen has been to let them walk, including Branden Albert, Geoff Schwartz, Jon Asamoah and Rodney Hudson. Allen has been banged up in the Andy Reid / John Dorsey era - he missed all of 2014 and half of 2015 - but the Chiefs line was much better with him in last season at left guard.
The Chiefs have quantity at guard for next season but the quality is in question. The Chiefs aren't in a position to let linemen walk but in a salary cap world there are difficult decisions to make.
Allen went on Geoff Schwartz's podcast a few weeks ago and talked about what he wanted in free agency.