Bengals Sign Former Vikings Defensive Tackle Jonathan Allen to 2-Year Deal Reported $26–28M

Multiple outlets reported that the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to sign defensive tackle Jonathan Allen on a two-year deal worth $26 million, with incentives that can push the value to $28 million.

“Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Thursday”

ESPN

ESPN led coverage reporting the two-year, $26 million figure and noting the deal’s potential to reach $28 million through incentives, while TSN and NFL Network reporting echoed the two-year, $26 million base with a max of $28 million.

ESPN

Local coverage also referenced Jeremy Fowler of ESPN as the initial reporter of the agreement, and alternative outlets cited NFL insider Jordan Schultz and other reporters confirming the two-year structure and maximum value.

Sources consistently placed Allen’s move in the immediate aftermath of his release from the Minnesota Vikings; several reports framed the signing as coming days after Minnesota cut him as a cap-related move.

ESPN described Allen as “another cap casualty of the Minnesota Vikings” who “was officially released Wednesday after the start of the 2026 league year,” while Heavy and Rolling Out also noted that the Bengals’ agreement occurred shortly after his release and that Minnesota’s decision was connected to roster and cap management.

Heavy

Multiple outlets tied the timing of the Bengals’ signing to Allen becoming newly available on the market.

Reporting across outlets emphasized Allen’s veteran résumé and statistical production over eight-plus NFL seasons, highlighting Pro Bowl honors and career disruption metrics as reasons the Bengals pursued him.

“Bengals agree to 2-year deal with former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Allen, per report CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Bengals have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, according to multiple reports”

Local 12 WKRC-TV

Rolling Out described Allen as “one of the more decorated résumés of any defensive tackle available this offseason” and listed career totals including “45.5 sacks, 67 tackles for loss and 129 quarterback hits,” while Heavy repeated the same career totals and TSN and ESPN noted his age and experience entering the contract.

Those pieces framed Allen as an experienced interior defender who still produced measurable results in 2025.

Coverage placed Allen’s signing in the context of Cincinnati’s broader defensive overhaul, noting he joins fellow additions intended to boost interior and edge rush over the offseason.

ESPN described Allen as “the second major acquisition the Bengals have made to improve their defensive line” and referenced the prior signing of former Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe; Rolling Out and Local 12 framed the move as Cincinnati adding veteran depth and experience up front as the team attempts to address a unit that “struggled last season.”

NBC Sports

Several outlets also noted Allen’s contract slots him among the higher-paid defensive players on the Bengals’ roster.

Assessments in reporting were mixed on Allen’s recent form but generally described Cincinnati’s pickup as a veteran upgrade with caveats about last season’s performance.

“According toJeremy Fowler, the Bengals are signing DTJonathan Allento a two-year, $28 million contract”

NFLTradeRumors.co

Heavy noted Allen “turned in a disappointing campaign with the Vikings last season, which helped lead to his release,” while Rolling Out underlined his consistent production across recent seasons including the 2025 stat line.

NFLTradeRumors.co

ESPN and TSN highlighted the financial terms and roster implications, and several outlets observed that the move marks Allen’s first time joining an AFC team in 2026, underscoring both opportunity and risk for Cincinnati.